South Zumbro Br-1 dam
South Zumbro Br-1
South Zumbro Br-1, located in Olmsted County, Minnesota, is a crucial structure designed by the USDA NRCS to reduce flood risks along Bear Creek. Completed in 1991, this earth dam stands at a height of 75 feet and spans 1060 feet, providing storage of up to 2429 acre-feet of water. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment in 2017 deemed it satisfactory, ensuring its effectiveness in managing stormwater runoff and protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, South Zumbro Br-1 plays a vital role in safeguarding the city of Rochester from water-related disasters. With a drainage area of 13.1 square miles and a maximum discharge of 408 cubic feet per second, the dam's controlled spillway ensures controlled water release during peak flow periods. The structure's emergency action plan and risk management measures further enhance its resilience, making it a key asset in the region's water resource management strategy.
South Zumbro Br-1's strategic location, high storage capacity, and efficient design make it a critical infrastructure for flood risk reduction in the St. Paul District. With a very high risk assessment rating and satisfactory condition, this earth dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management practices. As climate change continues to impact the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, structures like South Zumbro Br-1 will play an increasingly important role in ensuring the resilience and safety of communities in the face of a changing climate.
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 South Zumbro Br-1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Zumbro River At Rochester | 159 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Pilot Mound | 393 cfs | → |
| Zumbro River At Kellogg | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Winona | 30,900 cfs | → |
| Trempealeau River At Dodge | 670 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Houston | 881 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near South Zumbro Br-1.
Boat launches
- Boat Launch Olmsted County
- Mississippi River -- Upper Spring Lake Landing
- Mississippi River -- Lower Spring Lake Landing
- Mississippi River -- Belvidere Slough Landing
- Mississippi River -- Dairyland Power Landing (Alma)
- Mississippi River -- Merrick Park South
Campgrounds
- Chester Woods/Kisrow County Park
- Camp Grounds
- Group Site 2 (Grp2)
- Group Site 1 (Grp1)
- Carley State Park
- Bear Cave Park
Fishing spots
- Dacota Street Fishing Pier
- Huff Street Fishing Pier
- Franklin St. Fishing Pier
- Bigalks Creek
- Coldwater Creek
- Pine Creek
Track South Zumbro Br-1 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 South Zumbro Br-1
Where does the data for South Zumbro Br-1 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 South Zumbro Br-1.