Buehler Detention dam
Buehler Detention
Buehler Detention, a privately owned earth dam located in Berne, Minnesota, was designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1965. This structure, regulated by the MNDNR EWR, serves as a crucial water resource management tool for the Zumbro River Middle Fork. With a dam height of 17 feet and a storage capacity of 119 acre-feet, Buehler Detention plays a significant role in flood control and water storage in Dodge County.
Despite its low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Buehler Detention undergoes regular inspections every 8 years to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. The dam, with uncontrolled spillways and outlets, has a moderate risk assessment rating. The risk management measures and emergency action plans for this facility are currently not fully detailed, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to mitigate potential risks and ensure the safety of surrounding communities and the environment.
As a part of the St. Paul District managed by the USACE, Buehler Detention contributes to the overall water management efforts in the region. With a primary purpose of "other" and a core type of buttress earth dam, this structure stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between private owners, federal agencies, and state regulators in safeguarding water resources and addressing climate challenges in Minnesota.
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 Buehler Detention -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Zumbro River At Rochester | 159 cfs | → |
| Straight River Near Faribault | 286 cfs | → |
| Cannon River At Welch | 713 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Red Wing | 19,400 cfs | → |
| Cedar River Near Austin | 173 cfs | → |
| Vermillion River Near Empire | 42 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buehler Detention.
Boat launches
- Boat Ramp Faribault
- Scout Ridge Road Goodhue County
- Mill Towns State Trail Dakota County
- Gerlach Way Dakota County
- Boat Launch Olmsted County
- Morristown Boulevard 22200, Rice County
Track Buehler Detention 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 Buehler Detention
Where does the data for Buehler Detention 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 Buehler Detention.