Cannon River (Woolen Mills) dam
Cannon River (Woolen Mills)
Located in Faribault, Minnesota, the Cannon River (Woolen Mills) is a gravity dam completed in 1865, serving primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, standing at a height of 12 feet and stretching 650 feet in length, has a storage capacity of 1100 acre-feet and a drainage area of 332 square miles. With a significant hazard potential and a fair condition assessment as of 2013, the dam is under state regulation and inspection by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The Cannon River (Woolen Mills) dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and providing recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike. Its structural design, featuring a buttress core and unlisted/unknown foundations, contributes to its stable condition despite its age. With a spillway width of 0 feet and no associated locks, the dam's operation and safety are closely monitored through regular inspections and a comprehensive emergency action plan.
Owned by the local government, the Cannon River (Woolen Mills) dam stands as an important landmark in the area, attracting outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers to its serene waters and scenic surroundings. As climate change continues to impact water resources, efforts to maintain and enhance the dam's infrastructure are essential to ensure its long-term sustainability and safety for all those who enjoy the beauty and recreational opportunities provided by the Cannon River.
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 Cannon River (Woolen Mills) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Straight River Near Faribault | 286 cfs | → |
| Vermillion River Near Empire | 42 cfs | → |
| Cannon River At Welch | 713 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River Near Jordan | 11,800 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Below L&D #2 At Hastings | 17,800 cfs | → |
| High Island Creek Near Henderson | 72 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cannon River (Woolen Mills).
Boat launches
- Boat Ramp Faribault
- Morristown Boulevard 22200, Rice County
- Timber Doodle Trail Le Sueur County
- Maplewood Boat Ramp
- Roots Beach Road 8, Elysian
- Gerlach Way Dakota County
Track Cannon River (Woolen Mills) 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 Cannon River (Woolen Mills)
Where does the data for Cannon River (Woolen Mills) 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 Significant 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 Cannon River (Woolen Mills).