Smith dam
Smith
Smith, a private-owned dam located in Afton, Minnesota, plays a crucial role in grade stabilization along Valley Creek. This concrete dam, with a height of 19 feet and a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, helps control the flow of water in the region. Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Smith is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality.
Although classified as having a low hazard potential, Smith has not been rated for its condition assessment. The dam's last inspection took place in July 2016, with a recurring frequency of every 8 years. Despite its age and lack of recent modifications, Smith continues to serve its primary purpose effectively. With a drainage area of 3.4 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 25 acre-feet, this structure plays a vital role in water resource management in the area.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of dams like Smith in maintaining ecological balance and water flow regulation is crucial. With its specific design features and operational parameters, Smith stands as a testament to human ingenuity in harnessing natural resources for the benefit of communities and ecosystems alike. Monitoring and ensuring the proper maintenance of such structures are essential to safeguarding water resources and mitigating potential environmental risks in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Smith -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls | 91 cfs | → |
| Willow River @ Willow R State Park Nr Burkhardt | 130 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Below L&D #2 At Hastings | 17,800 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Prescott | 22,200 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At St. Paul | 18,100 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park | 6,620 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith.
Boat launches
- Saint Croix River -- Cove Road Landing
- Saint Croix Lake -- King Landing
- Saint Croix River -- Hudson Town Landing (Lakefront Park)
- Lake Mallalieu -- Access
- Saint Croix River -- North Hudson Ferry Landing Park
- 102nd Street South Washington County
Track Smith 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 Smith
Where does the data for Smith 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 Smith.