Jordan Falls dam
Jordan Falls
Jordan Falls, also known as Sand Creek, is a recreational water resource located in Jordan, Minnesota. Built in 1860, this dam stands at a height of 24 feet and has a structural height of 28 feet. With a normal storage capacity of 14.9 acre-feet and a drainage area of 236 square miles, Jordan Falls provides a serene environment for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking.
Managed by the local government, Jordan Falls has a low hazard potential and is not currently rated for its condition assessment. Despite being a popular recreational spot, the dam does not have a specific primary dam type listed. The surrounding area covers 18 acres, offering visitors a peaceful escape into nature along the Sand Creek. With its historical significance dating back over 150 years, Jordan Falls continues to attract visitors seeking a tranquil environment for relaxation and outdoor recreation.
Located in Scott County, Minnesota, Jordan Falls is part of the St. Paul District and is overseen by federal agencies. The dam has a maximum discharge of 5650 cubic feet per second and a storage capacity of 168 acre-feet. Although the dam's spillway type and width are not specified, the area is deemed to have low risk potential, providing a safe and enjoyable experience for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of this historic site.
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 Jordan Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota River Near Jordan | 11,800 cfs | → |
| High Island Creek Near Henderson | 72 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park | 6,620 cfs | → |
| Vermillion River Near Empire | 42 cfs | → |
| Crow River At Rockford | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Shingle Creek At Queen Ave In Minneapolis | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jordan Falls.
Boat launches
- State Corridor Trail Scott County
- Main Street East Carver
- Townline Avenue 14554, Shakopee
- East Cedar Lake Drive 24628, Scott County
- Townline Avenue 14193, Shakopee
- Cr 101 Shakopee
Track Jordan Falls 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 Jordan Falls
Where does the data for Jordan Falls 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 Jordan Falls.