Lake Sarah dam
Lake Sarah
Lake Sarah, located in Murray County, Minnesota, is a gravity dam constructed in 1923 primarily for flood risk reduction along the Des Moines River. The dam stands at a height of 7 feet with a structural height of 9 feet and a length of 80 feet, providing a storage capacity of 5865 acre-feet and a surface area of 1193 acres. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regularly inspected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to ensure its satisfactory condition and safety for the surrounding community.
Managed by the local government of Currie, Lake Sarah plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and mitigating flood risks in the region. With a drainage area of 20 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 1385 cubic feet per second, the dam serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource management in the area. Its satisfactory condition and low hazard potential make it a reliable asset for both flood control and recreational activities, attracting climate and water resource enthusiasts alike to explore its scenic surroundings.
As a state-regulated structure with state jurisdiction and permitting, Lake Sarah is subject to regular inspections and enforcement measures by the Minnesota DNR. The dam's design, construction, and operations are closely monitored to ensure its effectiveness in flood risk reduction while maintaining environmental sustainability. With its historical significance dating back to the early 20th century, Lake Sarah stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing water resources for the benefit of local communities and the preservation of natural landscapes in Minnesota.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Lake Sarah -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood River Near Marshall | 27 cfs | → |
| Flandreau Cr Above Flandreau Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Redwood River Near Redwood Falls | 159 cfs | → |
| Yellow Medicine River Near Granite Falls | 130 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Morton | 2,540 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux River Near Brookings Sd | 226 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Sarah.
Track Lake Sarah in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Lake Sarah
Where does the data for Lake Sarah come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Lake Sarah.