Jeffers Wildlife Pond dam
Jeffers Wildlife Pond
Situated in Prior Lake, Minnesota, Jeffers Wildlife Pond is a local government-owned Fish and Wildlife Pond that was completed in 1971 by the USDA NRCS. This Earth dam structure is designed to provide habitat for aquatic wildlife while also serving as a recreational area for the community. With a structural height of 8 feet and a length of 160 feet, the pond has a storage capacity of 260 acre-feet and a surface area of 6 acres.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Jeffers Wildlife Pond has a low hazard potential and is not currently rated for its condition. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, with a maximum discharge capacity of 210 cubic feet per second. While the pond has not been modified in recent years, it is regularly inspected to ensure its safety and functionality. Overall, the risk assessment for the pond is considered moderate, indicating a moderate level of risk associated with its operation and maintenance.
Despite not being regulated by the state, Jeffers Wildlife Pond plays a vital role in supporting local biodiversity and providing a recreational space for residents of Scott County, Minnesota. Its strategic location near the Minnesota River-TR contributes to the conservation efforts in the area, with a focus on promoting the health and sustainability of the surrounding ecosystem. As a key feature in the landscape, the pond serves as a valuable resource for both wildlife enthusiasts and climate advocates interested in preserving natural habitats and enhancing environmental resilience in the region.
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 Jeffers Wildlife Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota River Near Jordan | 11,800 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park | 6,620 cfs | → |
| Vermillion River Near Empire | 42 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At St. Paul | 18,100 cfs | → |
| Shingle Creek At Queen Ave In Minneapolis | 19 cfs | → |
| High Island Creek Near Henderson | 72 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jeffers Wildlife Pond.
Boat launches
- Townline Avenue 14193, Shakopee
- Townline Avenue 14554, Shakopee
- Cr 101 Shakopee
- Staring Lake Parkway Eden Prairie
- Blakeney Road Eden Prairie
- Shoreline Drive Eden Prairie
Campgrounds
- Cleary Lake Regional Park
- Lebanon Hills Regional Park
- Lebanon Hills Campground
- Minnesota Valley State Park -Quarry
- Carver Park Reserve
- Lake Auburn Campground
Paddle runs
Track Jeffers Wildlife Pond 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 Jeffers Wildlife Pond
Where does the data for Jeffers Wildlife Pond 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 Jeffers Wildlife Pond.