Sauk River Melrose dam
Sauk River Melrose
Located in Melrose, Minnesota, the Sauk River Melrose dam, also known as Melrose Dam, stands as a testament to the area's commitment to water resource management and recreation. Built in 1873, this gravity dam boasts a height of 14 feet and a length of 310 feet, with a normal storage capacity of 395 acre-feet. The dam serves a primary purpose of recreation, providing a surface area of 75 acres for activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Sauk River Melrose dam presents a significant hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition. Despite its age, the dam continues to be inspected regularly, with the last assessment conducted in October 2017. With a drainage area of 434 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 6,000 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water management for the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts surrounding the Sauk River Melrose dam. As a popular recreational spot in the St. Paul District, this structure not only provides opportunities for outdoor enjoyment but also highlights the intersection of human infrastructure with natural ecosystems. With a commitment to safety and sustainability, this dam remains a vital component of the local landscape, showcasing the delicate balance between human development and environmental stewardship.
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 Sauk River Melrose -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 163 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Royalton | 3,920 cfs | → |
| Sauk River Near St. Cloud | 497 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At St. Cloud | 4,910 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 1,110 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sauk River Melrose.
Boat launches
- County Road 17 32498, Sauk Centre
- 440th Street 30292, Stearns County
- Birch Lake State Forest Road Stearns County
- Birch Park Circle 44541, Stearns County
- Angler Drive 10935, Todd County
- Ambassador Drive 28198, Todd County
Campgrounds
- Sauk River Park Campground
- Birch Lakes State Forest Campground
- Sinclair Lewis City Cg
- Cedar Lake Memorial Park Campground
- Two Rivers Lake County Park- Bicycle Camp
- Veterans Memorial Park Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Blanchard Dam To Ends One Mile Downstream From The Southern Village Boundary Of Rice
- The Beaver Islands At St. Cloud To The Confluence Of The Clearwater River
- The Confluence Of The Clearwater River To The Northwestern Corporate Boundary Of Anoka
- The 25-Acre Island Just South Of Brainerd To Roscoe Island
Track Sauk River Melrose 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 Sauk River Melrose
Where does the data for Sauk River Melrose 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 Significant 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 Sauk River Melrose.