Albers Pond dam
Albers Pond
Located in Lake Benton, Minnesota, Albers Pond is a privately owned earth dam structure designed by the USDA NRCS in 1973 to serve as a flood risk reduction measure along the Norwegian Creek-TR. With a dam height of 22 feet and a length of 650 feet, this structure has a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet, providing essential protection for the surrounding area against potential flooding events.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Albers Pond is subject to regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its satisfactory condition and low hazard potential. Despite its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, the pond's risk assessment remains moderate, highlighting the importance of ongoing risk management and emergency preparedness protocols. With its primary purpose of flood risk reduction, this structure plays a crucial role in safeguarding the local community and environment from the impacts of extreme weather events.
As a key component of the Omaha District's water resource management strategy, Albers Pond stands as a testament to successful collaboration between private owners, state regulators, and federal agencies. Its strategic location and design reflect a commitment to sustainable water infrastructure that balances flood protection with ecological considerations, making it a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Albers Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Flandreau Cr Above Flandreau Sd | 1 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux River Near Brookings Sd | 280 cfs | → |
| Redwood River Near Marshall | 20 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux River Near Bruce | 250 cfs | → |
| Skunk Cr Nr Chester Sd | 0 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux R Near Dell Rapids Sd | 341 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Albers Pond.
Boat launches
- Picnic Point Road Lincoln County
- County Road 14 1104, Lincoln County
- Brookings County
- West Cottage Avenue Hendricks
- Sunset Road Brookings County
- Deuel County
Track Albers 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 Albers Pond
Where does the data for Albers 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 Albers Pond.