Little Cottonwood River dam
Little Cottonwood River
The Little Cottonwood River in Cottonwood, Minnesota is a state-regulated water resource managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This 11.5 square mile drainage area river features a 16-foot high buttress dam with a storage capacity of 243 acre-feet. Located in Mankato, this river is a vital resource for the local community and surrounding areas.
With a low hazard potential, the Little Cottonwood River provides a picturesque and relatively calm environment for water and climate enthusiasts to enjoy. The river's infrastructure, including the dam and associated structures, is well-maintained with regular state inspections and enforcement to ensure public safety. Despite its modest size, the Little Cottonwood River plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem and water management efforts in the region.
As part of the St. Paul District, the Little Cottonwood River offers a unique opportunity for exploration and appreciation of Minnesota's diverse water resources. While the dam's primary purpose is not specified, its presence contributes to flood control and water storage capabilities in the area. As climate change continues to impact water resources worldwide, the Little Cottonwood River stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices and the preservation of natural habitats for future generations.
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 Little Cottonwood River -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River At Jackson | 522 cfs | → |
| Redwood River Near Redwood Falls | 194 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Morton | 2,390 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood River Near New Ulm | 495 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At New Ulm | 2,730 cfs | → |
| Little Cottonwood River Near Courtland | 103 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Cottonwood River.
Boat launches
- Mountain Lake Cycle Path Mountain Lake
- 240th Avenue Brown County
- 1 Sleepy Eye
- County Road 6 Watonwan County
Track Little Cottonwood River 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 Little Cottonwood River
Where does the data for Little Cottonwood River 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 Little Cottonwood River.