Irons Pool dam
Irons Pool
Irons Pool is a private fish and wildlife pond located in Pine, Minnesota, near Taylor Falls. Built in 1966 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth dam structure stands at 9 feet high and spans 200 feet in length. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet with a normal storage level of 47 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 29 acres and draining an area of 0.89 square miles.
The dam on Irons Pool is designed with a spillway type classified as "Uncontrolled," with a spillway width of 90 feet and a maximum discharge of 393 cubic feet per second. Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, the risk assessment for this structure indicates a moderate level of risk. With no official condition assessment rating available, the dam's overall condition is labeled as "Not Rated." Although it is not regulated by the state, the pond serves as a valuable habitat for local wildlife and contributes to the conservation efforts in the area.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Irons Pool to be an intriguing example of a privately owned reservoir designed for fish and wildlife purposes in Minnesota. With its tranquil setting along Zimbrick Brook and its contribution to the local ecosystem, this Earth dam structure represents a harmonious balance between human intervention and environmental conservation. While the risk level associated with the dam is moderate, the low hazard potential and the lack of state regulation suggest a relatively stable and safe environment for both the wildlife and the surrounding community.
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 Irons Pool -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kettle River Below Sandstone | 476 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River Near Danbury | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Snake River Near Pine City | 447 cfs | → |
| St. Louis River At Scanlon | 2,770 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls | 3,830 cfs | → |
| Nemadji River Near South Superior | 508 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Irons Pool.
Boat launches
- Saint Croix River -- Norway Point Access
- Pine County
- Saint Croix River -- Nelson Landing
- Bass Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- St. Johns Landing
- St Croix State Park
- Logging Trail
- Paint Rock Spring
- Riverview - St. Croix State Park
- Paint Rock Springs - St. Croix State Park
Paddle runs
- The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam To The Confluence With St. Croix River
- Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam
- Upper Saint Louis
More reservoirs
Track Irons Pool 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 Irons Pool
Where does the data for Irons Pool 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 Irons Pool.