Buck's Mill dam
Buck's Mill
Buck's Mill, located in Dunvilla, Minnesota, is a state-regulated concrete dam on the Pelican River. Built in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), this dam stands at a height of 16 feet and serves various purposes, with a storage capacity of 2600 acre-feet. The dam has a structural height of 16 feet and a drainage area of 135 square miles, making it a vital component of the local water resource infrastructure.
The dam at Buck's Mill has a low hazard potential and is currently in fair condition, last assessed in May 2010. With a normal storage capacity of 1425 acre-feet and a surface area of 160 acres, this dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and storage in the area. The Pelican River, where the dam is situated, benefits from the regulation provided by Buck's Mill, ensuring a stable and controlled water supply for various downstream users.
Maintained and inspected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Buck's Mill is an essential structure for water management in Becker County. With a history dating back to the Great Depression era, this concrete dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, safeguarding the local environment and communities from potential water-related risks. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Buck's Mill represents a blend of historical significance and functional importance in the region's water infrastructure.
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 Buck's Mill -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo River Near Hawley | 47 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 341 cfs | → |
| South Branch Buffalo River At Sabin | 73 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls | 525 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Dilworth | 136 cfs | → |
| Wild Rice River At Twin Valley | 200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buck's Mill.
Boat launches
- County Road 31 51047, Otter Tail County
- County Highway 22 20820, Lake Eunice
- West Lake Drive 1360, Detroit Lakes
- West Lake Drive Detroit Lakes
- Heartland Trail Detroit Lakes
- Crystal Lake Public Water Access
Campgrounds
- American Legion Park - Detroit Lakes
- Sherin Memorial City Campground
- Sherin Memorial Park/Campground
- Maplewood State Park
- Maplewood State Park Campground
- Wagner Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Buck's Mill 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 Buck's Mill
Where does the data for Buck's Mill 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 Buck's Mill.