East Willow Creek Da-1 dam
East Willow Creek Da-1
East Willow Creek Da-1, located in Preston, Minnesota, is a local government-owned dam designed by the USDA NRCS to reduce flood risks along the Willow Creek-TR river. Completed in 1958, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a storage capacity of 218 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections, enforcement, and permitting to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
The primary purpose of East Willow Creek Da-1 is flood risk reduction, with a focus on controlling water levels and minimizing potential damages during periods of heavy rainfall. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, emphasizing the importance of proper management to prevent overflow and maintain stability. With a drainage area of 1.2 square miles, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and protecting surrounding communities from the impacts of flooding. Its moderate risk assessment underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to safeguard against potential threats.
In the event of an emergency, East Willow Creek Da-1 is equipped with uncontrolled outlet gates, although details regarding emergency action plans and inundation maps are currently unavailable. Despite its age, this dam continues to fulfill its purpose effectively, serving as a vital infrastructure asset for flood control in Fillmore County, Minnesota. With a dedicated regulatory agency and a history of satisfactory inspections, East Willow Creek Da-1 stands as a testament to the importance of proactive water resource management and climate resilience in mitigating natural disasters.
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 East Willow Creek Da-1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Iowa River At Bluffton | 252 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Pilot Mound | 393 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River At Decorah | 344 cfs | → |
| Turkey River At Spillville | 97 cfs | → |
| South Fork Root River Near Houston | 158 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Houston | 829 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near East Willow Creek Da-1.
Boat launches
- Miller Street Howard County
- Valley Avenue Howard County
- Wapsi Great Western Line Mitchell County
- Howard County
- Winneshiek County
Campgrounds
- North Park Campground
- Forestville State Park
- Fillmore County Fairgrounds Campgrounds
- Kendallville Park Campground
- Isinours Campsite
- Lidtke County Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The Minnesota-Iowa State Border To Ends Near The Town Of Bluffton, Iowa
- The Town Of Bluffton To The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek
- The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
Track East Willow Creek Da-1 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 East Willow Creek Da-1
Where does the data for East Willow Creek Da-1 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 East Willow Creek Da-1.