Lake Marion dam
Lake Marion
Lake Marion, located in Brownton, Minnesota, is a privately owned reservoir regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Built in 1948, the dam stands at 8 feet tall and spans 37 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 404 acre-feet. With a surface area of 520 acres and a drainage area of 7.4 square miles, the reservoir serves multiple purposes beyond water storage, making it a vital resource in the region.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Lake Marion undergoes inspections every eight years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The reservoir, situated on Buffalo Creek-TR, supports a diverse ecosystem and provides recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. With its historical significance and contribution to the local environment, Lake Marion remains an essential component of water resource management in McLeod County, Minnesota.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Lake Marion's data fascinating, showcasing the intricate balance between human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. As a key player in water management in Minnesota, the reservoir exemplifies the importance of responsible stewardship and regulatory oversight in maintaining the health and sustainability of our water resources. From its construction in the mid-20th century to its ongoing role in flood control and recreation, Lake Marion stands as a testament to the enduring relationship between humans and water in a changing climate landscape.
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 Marion -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| High Island Creek Near Henderson | 65 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At New Ulm | 4,050 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood River Near New Ulm | 605 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Morton | 3,300 cfs | → |
| Little Cottonwood River Near Courtland | 85 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River Near Jordan | 7,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Marion.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Lake Marion Co Park
- Lake Marion Park Campground
- Masonic West River Park
- Masonic/West River City Park
- Lake Allie Park Campground
- Lake Allie Co Park
Paddle runs
- The Confluence Of The Clearwater River To The Northwestern Corporate Boundary Of Anoka
- The Beaver Islands At St. Cloud To The Confluence Of The Clearwater River
More reservoirs
Track Lake Marion 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 Marion
Where does the data for Lake Marion 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 Marion.