Ames dam
Ames
Ames is a private dam located in Scott County, Minnesota, specifically in the city of Jordan. Built in 1996 by SHE ENG, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Sand Creek. With a storage capacity of 45 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.37 square miles, the Ames dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding areas from potential flooding events.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the dam is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. The last inspection in September 2019 rated its condition as satisfactory with a low hazard potential. Despite its relatively small size, Ames continues to provide vital flood protection services to the local community. Additionally, with its location in the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Ames is part of a larger network of water resource infrastructure aimed at safeguarding the region from natural disasters.
Overall, Ames represents a significant investment in water resource management and climate resilience in Minnesota. As a key component of the state's flood risk reduction strategy, this dam showcases the importance of proactive infrastructure development in safeguarding communities against the impacts of changing weather patterns and increasing water-related risks. With its solid construction, regular inspections, and low hazard potential, Ames stands as a testament to effective water resource management practices that benefit both the environment and local residents alike.
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 Ames -- 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 Ames.
Boat launches
- State Corridor Trail Scott County
- East Cedar Lake Drive 24628, Scott County
- Townline Avenue 14554, Shakopee
- Townline Avenue 14193, Shakopee
- Main Street East Carver
- Cr 101 Shakopee
Track Ames 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 Ames
Where does the data for Ames 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 Ames.