Olmsted County Rd 10 dam
Olmsted County Rd 10
Olmsted County Rd 10, located in Whalan, Minnesota, is a crucial structure regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Enforcement. Built in 1978 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth dam stands at a height of 37 feet and spans 440 feet across Lynch Creek. With a storage capacity of 114 acre-feet, this dam serves as a vital resource for flood control and water management in the region.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Olmsted County Rd 10 poses a very high risk due to its location and the potential impact of a failure. The dam's controlled spillway and uncontrolled outlet gates help mitigate this risk, but regular inspections every 8 years ensure its continued safety. Emergency action plans are in place, although further updates may be needed to meet current guidelines and ensure effective risk management measures.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to appreciate the importance of structures like Olmsted County Rd 10 in maintaining the delicate balance of water management and flood control in the region. By understanding the regulatory agencies involved, the dam's design and purpose, and its risk assessment, we can better appreciate and advocate for the continued maintenance and safety of this critical infrastructure.
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 Olmsted County Rd 10 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Root River Near Pilot Mound | 393 cfs | → |
| South Fork Zumbro River At Rochester | 108 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Winona | 29,100 cfs | → |
| Zumbro River At Kellogg | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Houston | 829 cfs | → |
| South Fork Root River Near Houston | 158 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Olmsted County Rd 10.
Boat launches
- Boat Launch Olmsted County
- Bartlet Lake Road Winona
- Mississippi River -- Lower Spring Lake Landing
- Mississippi River -- Upper Spring Lake Landing
- Mississippi River -- Merrick Park South
- Prairie Island Road Winona
Campgrounds
- Chester Woods/Kisrow County Park
- Isinours Campsite
- Group Site 2 (Grp2)
- Group Site 1 (Grp1)
- Eagle Cliff Campground & Lodging
- Riverview City Campground
Fishing spots
- Dacota Street Fishing Pier
- Huff Street Fishing Pier
- Franklin St. Fishing Pier
- Bigalks Creek
- Coldwater Creek
- Pine Creek
Track Olmsted County Rd 10 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 Olmsted County Rd 10
Where does the data for Olmsted County Rd 10 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 Olmsted County Rd 10.