Redwood Falls dam
Redwood Falls
Redwood Falls, located in Redwood, Minnesota, is a gravity-type dam on the Redwood River with a primary purpose of hydroelectric power generation. Built in 1902 by designer BURMEISTER, this dam stands at a height of 37 feet and spans 250 feet in length. With a normal storage capacity of 700 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 35,000 cubic feet per second, Redwood Falls plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
The dam is regulated and inspected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR EWR), with a satisfactory condition assessment as of March 2017. It has a high hazard potential and is considered to be at very high risk, emphasizing the importance of proper risk management measures. Despite its age, Redwood Falls continues to provide valuable hydroelectric power and plays a significant role in the local water infrastructure, showcasing the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
With its controlled spillway and substantial drainage area of 677 square miles, Redwood Falls serves as a vital component of the water management system in the area. The dam's historical significance, combined with its continued operational importance, makes it a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the intersection of infrastructure, hydroelectric power generation, and environmental sustainability in the Redwood area.
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 Redwood Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood River Near Redwood Falls | 142 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Morton | 2,590 cfs | → |
| Yellow Medicine River Near Granite Falls | 162 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At New Ulm | 3,090 cfs | → |
| Redwood River Near Marshall | 20 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood River Near New Ulm | 523 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Redwood Falls.
Track Redwood Falls 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 Redwood Falls
Where does the data for Redwood Falls 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 High 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 Redwood Falls.