Talcot Lake dam
Talcot Lake
Talcot Lake, located in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, is a gravity dam constructed in 1941 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The dam, standing at a height of 11 feet and with a length of 538 feet, serves multiple purposes, with a primary role in water resource management. With a storage capacity of 5379 acre-feet and a surface area of 873 acres, Talcot Lake plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing recreational opportunities in the area.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Talcot Lake is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the dam has a moderate risk level associated with it, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. The dam is situated on the Des Moines River, within the Rock Island District, and is a significant feature in the region's water infrastructure.
Talcot Lake's location in Windom, Minnesota, and its association with the Des Moines River make it a key component of the local water resource system. With its historical significance, ample storage capacity, and state-regulated management, Talcot Lake stands as a vital structure for water supply, flood control, and ecosystem support in the area. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate management can appreciate the role that Talcot Lake plays in maintaining a balance between human needs and environmental sustainability in Cottonwood County.
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 Talcot Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River At Jackson | 522 cfs | → |
| Redwood River Near Marshall | 40 cfs | → |
| Redwood River Near Redwood Falls | 194 cfs | → |
| Rock River Below Tom Creek At Rock Rapids | 149 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Morton | 2,390 cfs | → |
| Ocheyedan River Near Spencer | 417 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Talcot Lake.
Track Talcot Lake 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 Talcot Lake
Where does the data for Talcot Lake 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 Talcot Lake.