Thompson Wetland dam
Thompson Wetland
Thompson Wetland in Lawndall, Minnesota is a privately owned wetland with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Constructed in 1997 by NRCS, this earth dam stands at 12 feet tall with a structural height of 14 feet and a length of 230 feet. The wetland has a maximum storage capacity of 122 acre-feet and a normal storage of 69 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 17 acres and draining a 2 square mile watershed.
Situated along the Buffalo River in Otter Tail County, Thompson Wetland plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region. With the dam's low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment as of August 2017, it serves as a valuable asset for the community. The wetland's location and design highlight its importance in managing water resources and climate-related challenges, showcasing the collaborative efforts between private owners and state regulatory agencies in safeguarding the area's ecological and hydrological well-being.
Thompson Wetland's presence underscores the significance of wetlands in addressing flood risks and enhancing water resource management. Its strategic location and design reflect a commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. As enthusiasts for water resources and climate solutions, Thompson Wetland serves as a beacon of resilience and innovation in navigating the challenges posed by changing weather patterns and natural hazards in Minnesota's diverse landscape.
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 Thompson Wetland -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo River Near Hawley | 84 cfs | → |
| South Branch Buffalo River At Sabin | 71 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 331 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Hickson | 791 cfs | → |
| Wild Rice River Nr Abercrombie | 89 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls | 489 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thompson Wetland.
Boat launches
- Becker County
- Crystal Lake Public Water Access
- County Road 31 51047, Otter Tail County
- County Highway 22 20820, Lake Eunice
- Blue Bell Road 43243, Otter Tail County
- West Lake Drive 1360, Detroit Lakes
Track Thompson 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 Thompson Wetland
Where does the data for Thompson 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 Thompson Wetland.