Swenson Wetland dam
Swenson Wetland
Swenson Wetland, located in Wendell, Minnesota, is a private fish and wildlife pond built in 1999 by the West Central MN JPB. This Earth dam structure stands at 16 feet tall and has a length of 375 feet, with a storage capacity of 183 acre-feet. The wetland covers a surface area of 19 acres and serves as a habitat for various aquatic species in the area.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Swenson Wetland is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and environmental impact. With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, the wetland poses moderate risk and is equipped with a needle outlet gate system. The Mustinka River serves as its primary water source, with a drainage area of 152 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 200 cubic feet per second.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Swenson Wetland offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of human infrastructure and natural ecosystems. With its focus on fish and wildlife conservation, this wetland provides a valuable habitat for local flora and fauna, while also serving as a recreational and educational resource for the community. Its location in the picturesque Grant County, Minnesota, makes it a prime destination for nature lovers and environmental advocates looking to learn more about wetland management and conservation efforts in the region.
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 Swenson Wetland -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls | 489 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 334 cfs | → |
| Bois De Sioux River Near White Rock | 2 cfs | → |
| Bois De Sioux River Near Doran | 124 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Wahpeton | 751 cfs | → |
| Antelope Creek At Dwight | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swenson Wetland.
Boat launches
- Twin Lakes Road Southwest Douglas County
- North Main Street 364, Underwood
- Viking Trail 16246, Douglas County
- Douglas County
- Lake Shore Drive Battle Lake
- Viking Trail Douglas County
Track Swenson Wetland 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 Swenson Wetland
Where does the data for Swenson Wetland 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 Swenson Wetland.