Sylvan dam
Sylvan
Sylvan Dam, located in Cass County, Minnesota, is a significant hydroelectric structure that has been in operation since 1913. Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), this dam serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation and recreation. With a height of 35 feet and a hydraulic height of 22 feet, Sylvan Dam has a storage capacity of 9,216 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1,280 acres.
With a controlled spillway and a maximum discharge capacity of 22,000 cubic feet per second, Sylvan Dam is equipped to handle high hazard potential situations. The dam is regularly inspected by state and federal agencies to ensure its structural integrity and safety measures. Despite its high risk assessment, the condition assessment of Sylvan Dam is currently not available, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to mitigate potential threats.
Sylvan Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and energy production in the region. Its historical significance and impact on the local ecosystem make it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
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 Sylvan -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 1,180 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 2,350 cfs | → |
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 174 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Royalton | 3,670 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 343 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 2,040 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sylvan .
Boat launches
- Sylvan Dam Road Southwest Cass County
- 25th Avenue Southwest Sylvan
- Crow Wing County
- Pillager Dam Road Cass County
- Sleepy Hollow Road Crow Wing County
- Highland Scenic Drive South 6213, Baxter
Campgrounds
- Crow Wing State Park
- Crow Wing State Park Campground
- Pillsbury State Forest- Walter Stark Horse Camp
- Gulf Lake- Cor Of Engineers Campground
- Rock Lake Campground
- Lum City Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The 25-Acre Island Just South Of Brainerd To Roscoe Island
- Blanchard Dam To Ends One Mile Downstream From The Southern Village Boundary Of Rice
- The Discharge Of The Flood Diversion Channel To Riverton
- The Boundary Between Logan And Workman Townships In Aitkin County To The Dam Entrance Of The Flood Diversion Channel
- The Beaver Islands At St. Cloud To The Confluence Of The Clearwater River
More reservoirs
Track Sylvan 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 Sylvan
Where does the data for Sylvan 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 High 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 Sylvan .