Schech Mill dam
Schech Mill
Located in Sheldon, Minnesota, Schech Mill is a privately-owned hydroelectric dam on Beaver Creek. Built in 1914, this gravity dam stands at 8 feet tall and spans 80 feet in length, providing a maximum discharge of 2200 cubic feet per second. With a normal storage capacity of 15 acre-feet and a total storage of 50 acre-feet, Schech Mill plays a vital role in harnessing water resources for energy generation in the region.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Schech Mill is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and operational safety. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is considered satisfactory in condition assessment, with the last inspection conducted in May 2017. The dam's emergency action plan status and risk assessment remain unspecified, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and risk management measures to safeguard the surrounding communities and environment from potential hazards.
In the picturesque setting of Houston County, Schech Mill stands as a historic landmark and a testament to the region's commitment to sustainable energy production. With its rich history and ongoing role in water resource management, this gravity dam serves as a valuable asset for both local residents and climate enthusiasts alike, showcasing the intersection of technology, nature, and community resilience in the heart of Minnesota.
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 Schech Mill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Root River Near Houston | 182 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Houston | 850 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester | 619 cfs | → |
| La Crosse River Near La Crosse | 459 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Pilot Mound | 373 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River At Bluffton | 260 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Schech Mill.
Boat launches
- Millstone Landing Houston County
- Mississippi River/Wigwam Slough -- Hunters Point Landing (South Goose Island)
- Mississippi River -- Stoddard Park Landing
- Voyageur Highway Houston County
- Mississippi River -- Green Island Ramp
- Mississippi River -- City Marina
Campgrounds
- Beaver Creek Valley Campground
- Camper Cabin
- Outback Ranch
- Wet Bark Campground
- Houston Nature Center Trailhead Campground
- Cushon's Peak Campground
Fishing spots
- Pine Creek
- New Albin Big Lake
- French Creek
- Coldwater Creek
- Franklin St. Fishing Pier
- Huff Street Fishing Pier
Paddle runs
- The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
- The Town Of Bluffton To The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek
- The Minnesota-Iowa State Border To Ends Near The Town Of Bluffton, Iowa
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
- The Big Green River To The River's Mouth At The Mississippi River
Track Schech Mill 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 Schech Mill
Where does the data for Schech Mill 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 Schech Mill.