Mill Creek dam
Mill Creek
Mill Creek, located in Stearns County, Minnesota, is a state-regulated gravity dam completed in 1870 with a primary purpose listed as "Other." The dam stands at 13 feet in height and spans 51 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. Although the dam has a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in 2015, it undergoes regular inspections every four years to ensure its safety and functionality.
With a drainage area of 47.9 square miles, Mill Creek plays a crucial role in the local water resource management of the region. As part of the St. Paul District, this dam contributes to flood control and water supply management efforts in the area. The dam's presence also highlights the intersection between water resource infrastructure and climate considerations, as it serves as a key component in the broader ecosystem of Mill Creek and its surrounding environment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Mill Creek offers a fascinating case study in the history and ongoing management of dam infrastructure in Minnesota. Its location in the Rockville area, along with its design and purpose, provide valuable insights into the intricate balance between human development and environmental conservation in the context of water resources and climate change. By understanding the significance of structures like Mill Creek, enthusiasts can gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of managing water in a changing climate landscape.
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 Mill Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sauk River Near St. Cloud | 531 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At St. Cloud | 5,460 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Royalton | 4,670 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Big Lake | 246 cfs | → |
| Crow River At Rockford | 1,640 cfs | → |
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 168 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mill Creek.
Boat launches
- Grand Lake Road 11330, Rockville
- County Road 6 8105, Rockville
- 3rd Street South Cold Spring
- Eclipse Road 9771, Stearns County
- 126th Avenue 17974, Stearns County
- Big Fish Lake Road Stearns County
Campgrounds
- Rockville Cp - Canoe Camp
- Campsite- Bicycle
- Warner Lake Cp--East Bicycle Camp
- St. Cloud Clearwater Rv Park
- Stanley Eddy Memorial Park Reserv (North)
- Two Rivers Lake County Park- Bicycle Camp
Paddle runs
- 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
- Blanchard Dam To Ends One Mile Downstream From The Southern Village Boundary Of Rice
More reservoirs
Track Mill Creek 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 Mill Creek
Where does the data for Mill Creek 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 Mill Creek.