Peschel Pond dam
Peschel Pond
Peschel Pond, located in Todd County, Minnesota, is a privately owned body of water regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Built in 1967 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and spans a length of 240 feet. With a storage capacity of 307 acre-feet, the pond serves a variety of purposes, including flood control along Prairie Brook and supporting wildlife habitat in the area.
Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Peschel Pond is subject to regular inspections and enforcement by state regulatory agencies. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates indicate a reliance on natural drainage systems, while the moderate risk assessment suggests a need for ongoing risk management measures. With a historical context dating back over five decades, the pond remains a vital component of the local watershed, offering both recreational opportunities and ecological benefits for the surrounding community.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, Peschel Pond serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable dam management practices. With its proximity to Ward Springs and Prairie Brook, this earthen structure plays a critical role in maintaining water quality and quantity in the region. By staying vigilant in inspections and maintenance, the owners and regulators of Peschel Pond can ensure its continued functionality and resilience in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Peschel Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 163 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Royalton | 3,920 cfs | → |
| Sauk River Near St. Cloud | 497 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At St. Cloud | 4,910 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 2,480 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Peschel Pond.
Boat launches
- Ambassador Drive 28198, Todd County
- Angler Drive 10935, Todd County
- Arctic Drive 11670, Todd County
- County Road 102 16243, Todd County
- Bayview Drive Todd County
- Birch Lake State Forest Road Stearns County
Campgrounds
- Birch Lakes State Forest Campground
- Sinclair Lewis City Cg
- Cedar Lake Memorial Park Campground
- Lake Pepin Public Access
- Sauk River Park Campground
- Two Mile Trailer Park And Cg
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Blanchard Dam To Ends One Mile Downstream From The Southern Village Boundary Of Rice
- The Beaver Islands At St. Cloud To The Confluence Of The Clearwater River
- The 25-Acre Island Just South Of Brainerd To Roscoe Island
- The Confluence Of The Clearwater River To The Northwestern Corporate Boundary Of Anoka
Track Peschel Pond 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 Peschel Pond
Where does the data for Peschel Pond 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 Peschel Pond.