Pleasant Valley No. 3 dam
Pleasant Valley No. 3
Pleasant Valley No. 3, also known as Noeska Detention, is a privately owned earth dam located in Winona, Minnesota. Constructed in 1968 by the USDA NRCS, this structure serves primarily for flood risk reduction along the Pleasant Valley CR-TR. With a height of 27 feet and a length of 336 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 23 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 150 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Pleasant Valley No. 3 has a significant hazard potential and is rated in fair condition as of the last assessment in 2015. Despite its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the dam is inspected every four years to ensure its integrity and safety. Situated within a moderate risk zone, this structure plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events, showcasing the importance of proper water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the engineering and regulatory efforts that have gone into maintaining Pleasant Valley No. 3. With its buttress core design and state-regulated operations, this dam stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to mitigate flood risks and safeguard communities in Minnesota. As the climate continues to change, structures like Pleasant Valley No. 3 highlight the need for sustainable water management practices and adaptive strategies to address the growing challenges posed by a changing environment.
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 Pleasant Valley No. 3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Winona | 27,300 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Dodge | 761 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Houston | 855 cfs | → |
| South Fork Root River Near Houston | 184 cfs | → |
| Black River Near Galesville | 1,170 cfs | → |
| La Crosse River Near La Crosse | 456 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pleasant Valley No. 3.
Boat launches
- Lake Winona Bike Path Winona
- Winona
- Trempealeau River -- Perrot State Park
- Great River Road Town Of Trempealeau
Campgrounds
- Pla-Mor Campground
- Group Tent Campsite
- Perrot State Park Campground
- Perrot State Park
- Prairie Island City Campground
- Prairie Island Campground
Fishing spots
- Franklin St. Fishing Pier
- Huff Street Fishing Pier
- Dacota Street Fishing Pier
- New Albin Big Lake
- Pine Creek
- Coldwater Creek
Track Pleasant Valley No. 3 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 Pleasant Valley No. 3
Where does the data for Pleasant Valley No. 3 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 Pleasant Valley No. 3.