Belle Creek R-9 dam
Belle Creek R-9
Belle Creek R-9, located in Red Wing, Minnesota, is a local government-owned earth dam designed by USDA NRCS to reduce flood risks along the Belle Creek. Completed in 1983, this dam stands at 34 feet high and stretches 680 feet in length, providing flood protection for the surrounding area. With a storage capacity of 439 acre-feet and a drainage area of 2.5 square miles, Belle Creek R-9 plays a crucial role in managing water flow and mitigating potential flooding events in the region.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Belle Creek R-9 is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. With a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, this dam serves its primary purpose of flood risk reduction effectively. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway, stone core, and soil foundation, with a maximum discharge capacity of 900 cubic feet per second. Its moderate risk level is monitored through regular inspections and risk assessments to uphold public safety and environmental stewardship in the watershed.
As a vital infrastructure for water resource management in Goodhue County, Belle Creek R-9 is a key component of the local flood control system. With emergency action plans in place and updated contact information, this dam is prepared to respond to any potential threats or emergencies effectively. Its critical role in protecting downstream communities and properties underscores the importance of sustainable water resource planning and climate resilience efforts in the region.
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 Belle Creek R-9 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cannon River At Welch | 713 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Red Wing | 19,400 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Prescott | 22,200 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Below L&D #2 At Hastings | 17,800 cfs | → |
| Vermillion River Near Empire | 42 cfs | → |
| Kinnickinnic River Near River Falls | 91 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Belle Creek R-9.
Boat launches
- Scout Ridge Road Goodhue County
- Mill Towns State Trail Dakota County
- Gerlach Way Dakota County
- Mississippi River -- Hager City
- County Road 68 Goodhue County
- Mississippi River -- Bay City
Track Belle Creek R-9 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 Belle Creek R-9
Where does the data for Belle Creek R-9 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 Belle Creek R-9.