Bowman Dam dam
Bowman Dam
Located in Redby, Minnesota, Bowman Dam is a private earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1996. The dam serves as a fish and wildlife pond along the South Cormorant River, with a maximum storage capacity of 293 acre-feet and a normal storage of 44 acre-feet. With a length of 800 feet and a height of 10 feet, Bowman Dam also features a controlled spillway with a width of 60 feet to manage water discharge effectively.
Managed by the MNDNR EWR, Bowman Dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential, the dam is classified as having a very high risk due to its critical role in water resource management in the area. With a focus on fish and wildlife conservation, Bowman Dam plays a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of the surrounding environment and supporting the local biodiversity.
In addition to its primary purpose, Bowman Dam offers recreational opportunities for water resource and climate enthusiasts, providing a serene setting for outdoor activities such as fishing, birdwatching, and nature appreciation. While the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, its importance in the region's water management and conservation efforts is evident. As a key infrastructure for the local ecosystem, Bowman Dam stands as a testament to the symbiotic relationship between water resources and climate resilience.
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 Bowman Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River Near Bemidji | 264 cfs | → |
| Big Fork River At Big Falls | 670 cfs | → |
| Red Lake River Near Red Lake | 208 cfs | → |
| Rapid River Near Baudette | 339 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 231 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bowman Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Paul Bunyan Memorial Park
- Pine Tree City Park Campground
- Webster Lake
- T And N Inn Lodging And Campground
- Middle Pigeon Lake Campground
- Noma Lake Campground
Fishing spots
- Bartlett Lake
- Alice Lake
- Bass (South Island) Lake
- Amik Lake
- Bearpawguides On Upper Red Lake
- Ackerman Lakes
Paddle runs
- Cass Lake To Lake Winnibigoshish
- The Otter Tail Powerplant To Allen's Bay
- Dora Lake To State Highway 6
- Lake Winnigigoshish To Blackwater Lake
- The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7 To Lake Bemidji
- The Outlet Of Lake Itasca To The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7
More reservoirs
Track Bowman Dam 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 Bowman Dam
Where does the data for Bowman Dam 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 Bowman Dam.