Wavrin Wetland dam
Wavrin Wetland
Wavrin Wetland, located in Steele County, Minnesota, is a privately owned fish and wildlife pond designed by NRCS and completed in 1999. This wetland serves as a crucial habitat for various species and plays a significant role in the local ecosystem. With a surface area of 20 acres and a normal storage capacity of 48 acre-feet, Wavrin Wetland helps manage water flow and provide essential resources for wildlife.
The dam at Wavrin Wetland is an earthen structure with a height of 6 feet and a length of 805 feet. It has a low hazard potential and is in fair condition, last assessed in 2009. The spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 20 feet, aiding in managing water levels during periods of high discharge. Despite its modest size, Wavrin Wetland's impact on the surrounding environment and its role in water resource management make it a valuable asset in the region.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wavrin Wetland is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement. This wetland not only provides a home for diverse wildlife but also contributes to overall water quality and quantity in the area. Its strategic location near Medford Creek-TR and its design for fish and wildlife purposes underscore its importance in preserving and enhancing the local ecosystem.
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 Wavrin Wetland -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Straight River Near Faribault | 286 cfs | → |
| Vermillion River Near Empire | 42 cfs | → |
| Cedar River Near Austin | 173 cfs | → |
| Cannon River At Welch | 713 cfs | → |
| South Fork Zumbro River At Rochester | 159 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Mankato | 11,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wavrin Wetland.
Boat launches
- Morristown Boulevard 22200, Rice County
- Boat Ramp Faribault
- Maplewood Boat Ramp
- Timber Doodle Trail Le Sueur County
- Roots Beach Road 8, Elysian
- County Road 12 Le Sueur County
Track Wavrin 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 Wavrin Wetland
Where does the data for Wavrin 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 Wavrin Wetland.