Maas Detention dam
Maas Detention
Maas Detention, located in Faribault, Minnesota, was designed by the USDA NRCS and is owned by a private entity. This earth dam was completed in 1993 and serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the Mud Creek-TR. With a dam height of 30 feet and a length of 260 feet, Maas Detention has a storage capacity of 21.1 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.6 square miles. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
Managed by the MNDNR EWR, Maas Detention is equipped with uncontrolled spillways and outlet gates. The dam's overall condition was last assessed in July 2017 and deemed satisfactory. While the structure has not been modified in recent years, regular inspections are conducted every 8 years to ensure its continued safety and effectiveness. The risk management measures and emergency action plan for the dam are currently unspecified, highlighting the importance of proactive planning and coordination in the face of potential climate-related challenges.
As part of the Rock Island District, Maas Detention plays a crucial role in protecting the surrounding area from flooding events. Its strategic location in Rice County, Minnesota, underscores the significance of water resource management in mitigating climate-related risks. With its effective flood risk reduction capabilities and commitment to regulatory compliance, Maas Detention stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water infrastructure in adapting to a changing climate and safeguarding communities against natural disasters.
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 Maas Detention -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Straight River Near Faribault | 286 cfs | → |
| Vermillion River Near Empire | 42 cfs | → |
| Cannon River At Welch | 713 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River Near Jordan | 11,800 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Mankato | 11,300 cfs | → |
| Le Sueur River Near Rapidan | 3,650 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Maas Detention.
Boat launches
- Morristown Boulevard 22200, Rice County
- Boat Ramp Faribault
- Timber Doodle Trail Le Sueur County
- Maplewood Boat Ramp
- Roots Beach Road 8, Elysian
- County Road 12 Le Sueur County
Track Maas Detention 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 Maas Detention
Where does the data for Maas Detention 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 Maas Detention.