Carda Impoundment dam
Carda Impoundment
Carda Impoundment, located in Mora, Minnesota, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1971 by the USDA NRCS. The dam, standing at a height of 14 feet and a length of 555 feet, serves as a crucial water resource structure on the Knife River-TR. With a storage capacity of 56.6 acre-feet, the dam plays a vital role in regulating water flow and managing flood risks in the region.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Carda Impoundment is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a maximum discharge capacity of 75 cubic feet per second. Its primary purpose, classified as "Other," underscores its significance in the broader water management system of Kanabec County.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Carda Impoundment offers a compelling case study in dam infrastructure and risk management. Its moderate risk assessment, along with the lack of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and inundation maps, highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and preparedness efforts. As a key component of the St. Paul District's water infrastructure, the dam exemplifies the intersection of engineering, policy, and environmental stewardship in sustaining water resources for future generations.
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 Carda Impoundment -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Snake River Near Pine City | 1,620 cfs | → |
| Kettle River Below Sandstone | 342 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 1,890 cfs | → |
| Rum River Near St. Francis | 942 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Big Lake | 172 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 2,580 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carda Impoundment.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Carda Impoundment
Where does the data for Carda Impoundment 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 below 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.
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.