Black River Imp dam
Black River Imp
Black River Imp, located in Pennington, Minnesota, is a local government-owned earth dam designed by Houston Eng for flood risk reduction. It is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and has state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. The dam has a storage capacity of 5412 acre-feet and is associated with a drainage area of 16.8 square miles, making it a crucial infrastructure for managing water resources in the region.
Despite its significant hazard potential, the condition of Black River Imp has not been rated yet. The dam does not have an emergency action plan prepared, and its last inspection date and condition assessment are unknown. However, with its primary purpose being flood risk reduction, the dam plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential inundation during extreme weather events. Climate enthusiasts and water resource managers can keep a close eye on Black River Imp for any updates on its risk assessment and management measures.
In the event of an emergency, the lack of an updated emergency action plan and inundation maps for Black River Imp could pose challenges for risk assessment and management. It is essential for the local government and regulatory agencies to ensure that proper emergency protocols are in place to protect downstream communities and infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns, the maintenance and monitoring of dams like Black River Imp will be crucial in safeguarding against flooding and other water-related hazards.
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 Black River Imp -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Clearwater River At Red Lake Falls | 213 cfs | → |
| Cyr Creek Near Marcoux Corners | 42 cfs | → |
| Thief River Near Thief River Falls | 47 cfs | → |
| Red Lake River At Crookston | 663 cfs | → |
| Clearwater River At Plummer | 87 cfs | → |
| Judicial Ditch 64 Near Mentor | 43 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Black River Imp.
Boat launches
- Red Lake Falls
- Red Lake County
- 8th Street East 952, Thief River Falls
- Bridge Street Crookston
- Central Avenue 476, Plummer
- Us Highway 75 Polk County
Track Black River Imp 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 Black River Imp
Where does the data for Black River Imp 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 Significant 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 Black River Imp.