Arlington Detention dam
Arlington Detention
Arlington Detention is a local government-owned earth dam located in St. Paul, Minnesota, designed by SEH ENG to primarily reduce flood risk along Phalen Creek. Completed in 1989, this significant structure stands at a height of 15 feet and spans 735 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet and a maximum discharge rate of 1800 cubic feet per second. Despite its age, the dam is in satisfactory condition as of the latest assessment in 2015, with a moderate risk rating.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Arlington Detention plays a crucial role in flood risk reduction within Ramsey County. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and buttress core type contribute to its effective operation, ensuring the safety of surrounding communities in the event of heavy rainfall or rising water levels. Regular inspections are conducted every four years to monitor the structure's integrity and prepare for any potential emergencies.
With a hazard potential classified as significant, Arlington Detention remains a key asset in the region's water resource management efforts. Its location, design, and functionality underscore the importance of proactive maintenance and risk management measures to safeguard against potential threats and ensure the continued protection of nearby residents and infrastructure. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Arlington Detention serves as a prime example of how strategic infrastructure plays a vital role in mitigating natural disasters and enhancing community resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Arlington Detention -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At St. Paul | 18,100 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park | 6,620 cfs | → |
| Shingle Creek At Queen Ave In Minneapolis | 19 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Anoka | 7,300 cfs | → |
| Willow River @ Willow R State Park Nr Burkhardt | 130 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Below L&D #2 At Hastings | 17,800 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Arlington Detention.
Boat launches
- Lake Phalen Bike Path Saint Paul
- Keller Parkway Maplewood
- Shoreline Lane Arden Hills
- Sam Morgan Regional Trail West Seventh - Fort Road
- Shoreview
- Lake Johanna Boulevard 1701, Arden Hills
Campgrounds
- Lake Elmo County Park Preserve
- Rice Creek Chain Of Lakes Regional Park
- Lebanon Hills Campground
- Lebanon Hills Regional Park
- Kestrel
- Goldfinch
Paddle runs
Track Arlington 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 Arlington Detention
Where does the data for Arlington 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 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 Arlington Detention.