Pletsch Pond dam
Pletsch Pond
Pletsch Pond, also known as Pletsch Bros. Dam, is a privately owned earth dam located in Wabasha, Minnesota. Built in 1957 by the USDA NRCS, this structure serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction on the Middle Creek-TR stream. Standing at a height of 25 feet with a length of 291 feet, Pletsch Pond has a storage capacity of 52 acre-feet, making it a crucial asset in managing water resources in the area.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Pletsch Pond has a low hazard potential and is considered to be in fair condition as of the last inspection in April 2016. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, this dam plays a vital role in mitigating potential flooding events in the region. Despite the lack of formal emergency action plans and inundation maps, the structure has been deemed to meet regulatory guidelines and enforcement measures set by the state, ensuring its operational reliability in times of need.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Pletsch Pond stands as a testament to the importance of infrastructure in safeguarding communities against the impacts of extreme weather events. Its role in flood risk reduction and water management highlights the necessity of maintaining and monitoring such structures to ensure their effectiveness in protecting both people and the environment. As climate change continues to pose challenges to water resources, Pletsch Pond serves as a valuable asset in building resilience and adaptation strategies for a more sustainable future.
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 Pletsch Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Zumbro River At Kellogg | 1,550 cfs | → |
| South Fork Zumbro River At Rochester | 108 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Winona | 29,100 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Pilot Mound | 393 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Dodge | 550 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Red Wing | 19,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pletsch Pond.
Boat launches
- Boat Launch Olmsted County
- Mississippi River -- Belvidere Slough Landing
- Mississippi River -- Indian Slough Landing
- Mississippi River -- Dairyland Power Landing (Alma)
- Mississippi River -- Alma Marina
- Mississippi River -- Upper Spring Lake Landing
Campgrounds
- Carley State Park
- Group Site 1 (Grp1)
- Group Site 2 (Grp2)
- Richard J. Dorer Sf -Zumbro Bottom Horse Camp West
- Richard J. Dorer Sf -Zumbro Bottom Horse Camp North
- Richard J. Dorer Sf -Snake Creek
Fishing spots
- Dacota Street Fishing Pier
- Huff Street Fishing Pier
- Franklin St. Fishing Pier
- Bigalks Creek
- Coldwater Creek
Track Pletsch Pond 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 Pletsch Pond
Where does the data for Pletsch Pond 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 Pletsch Pond.