Bear Creek Site 17 dam
Bear Creek Site 17
Bear Creek Site 17, also known as Spring Grove Twp 34, is a local government-owned dam located in Dorchester, Iowa, within Houston County, Minnesota. Built in 2006 by the USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 34 feet and has a length of 350 feet, serving primarily for flood risk reduction along the Bear Creek-TR stream. The dam has a storage capacity of 118 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1.7 acres, with a drainage area of 1 square mile.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Bear Creek Site 17 is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the MNDNR EWR to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is subject to moderate risk, indicating the need for continued risk management measures. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates pose potential challenges in flood control, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to mitigate any associated risks.
Overall, Bear Creek Site 17 plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding community from flooding events, showcasing the collaborative efforts of local government agencies and the USDA NRCS in water resource management. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the innovative design and functionality of this dam, as well as the ongoing commitment to safeguarding public safety and environmental sustainability in the region.
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 Bear Creek Site 17 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester | 8,300 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River At Bluffton | 4,400 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River At Decorah | 8,760 cfs | → |
| South Fork Root River Near Houston | 344 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Houston | 4,380 cfs | → |
| Turkey River At Spillville | 660 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bear Creek Site 17.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Bear Creek Site 17
Where does the data for Bear Creek Site 17 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 below 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.
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.