Moccasin Creek Project No. 8 dam
Moccasin Creek Project No. 8
Moccasin Creek Project No. 8, located in Twin Valley, Norman County, Minnesota, is a flood risk reduction structure constructed in 1984 by Houston Eng. This earth dam stands at a height of 48.5 feet and has a storage capacity of 1874 acre-feet. Operating under the jurisdiction and regulation of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along Moccasin Creek, with a drainage area of 57.4 square miles.
The dam, with a spillway type of controlled, has a significant hazard potential and is deemed to have a very high risk assessment level. Despite its satisfactory condition assessment in 2017, the dam is subject to regular inspections every four years. The structure spans 1035 feet in length and holds a maximum storage capacity of 1874 acre-feet. In the event of an emergency, the dam has established emergency action plans and contacts to ensure the safety of communities downstream.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Moccasin Creek Project No. 8 offers a fascinating case study in flood risk management and infrastructure development. With its strategic location and vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding, this dam stands as a testament to the importance of effective water resource management in ensuring the resilience of communities against 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 Moccasin Creek Project No. 8 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Rice River At Twin Valley | 177 cfs | → |
| County Ditch 65 Near Maple Bay | 1 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Hawley | 61 cfs | → |
| County Ditch 72 (Burnham Ck) Nr. Maple Bay (Sw3) | 0 cfs | → |
| Wild Rice River At Hendrum | 256 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Dilworth | 109 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Moccasin Creek Project No. 8.
Boat launches
- Sugar Maple Lane 29299, Becker County
- Polk County
- Lake St Se 11714, Polk County
- County Road 143 Becker County
Campgrounds
- Heiberg Park
- Heiberg Park Campground
- Bosworth City Park
- Agassiz Environmental Learning Center
- Buffalo River State Park
- Hendrum Community Park Campground
Paddle runs
Track Moccasin Creek Project No. 8 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 Moccasin Creek Project No. 8
Where does the data for Moccasin Creek Project No. 8 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 Moccasin Creek Project No. 8.