Fairhaven dam
Fairhaven
Fairhaven, located in Stearns County, Minnesota, is a gravity dam on the Clearwater River with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1974, the dam has a height of 16 feet and a length of 90 feet, providing a normal storage capacity of 516 acre-feet of water. The dam, managed by the local government, is state regulated and monitored by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
The Fairhaven dam has a low hazard potential and is in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in September 2013. With a drainage area of 94 square miles and a maximum discharge of 2120 cubic feet per second, the dam serves as a valuable resource for water management and recreational activities in the area. The dam's location in a picturesque setting along the Clearwater River makes it a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore and appreciate the natural beauty of the region.
Fairhaven dam's significance extends beyond its structural and functional aspects, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with water conservation efforts and learn about the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of climate change. As a well-maintained and regulated structure, Fairhaven exemplifies the balance between human development and environmental stewardship, serving as a model for responsible infrastructure that benefits both the community and the natural ecosystem.
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 Fairhaven -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At St. Cloud | 5,460 cfs | → |
| Sauk River Near St. Cloud | 531 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Big Lake | 246 cfs | → |
| Crow River At Rockford | 1,640 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Royalton | 4,670 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Champlin | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fairhaven.
Boat launches
- Eclipse Road 9771, Stearns County
- 126th Avenue 17974, Stearns County
- Grand Lake Road 11330, Rockville
- State Highway 24 Clearwater
- County Road 6 8105, Rockville
- Beaver Islands Trail St. Cloud
Campgrounds
- Stanley Eddy Memorial Park Reserv (North)
- Stanley Eddy Regional Park Reserve South
- Schroeder County Park Campgrounds
- Warner Lake Cp--East Bicycle Camp
- St. Cloud Clearwater Rv Park
- Rockville Cp - Canoe Camp
Paddle runs
- The Confluence Of The Clearwater River To The Northwestern Corporate Boundary Of Anoka
- The Beaver Islands At St. Cloud To The Confluence Of The Clearwater River
- Blanchard Dam To Ends One Mile Downstream From The Southern Village Boundary Of Rice
More reservoirs
Track Fairhaven 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 Fairhaven
Where does the data for Fairhaven 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 Fairhaven.