Maple River Diversion dam
Maple River Diversion
Maple River Diversion in Minnesota Lake, Faribault County, is a state-regulated structure designed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) with a primary purpose classified as "Other." The dam is made of concrete with a height of 7 feet and a length of 32 feet, creating a storage capacity of 628 acre-feet and serving a drainage area of 50 square miles along the Maple River. With a spillway width of 30 feet and a low hazard potential, the dam has been assessed to be in fair condition as of May 2009.
Located in S16 T104N R25W, the Maple River Diversion plays a crucial role in water resource management and flood control in the region. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the structure has not undergone any modifications in recent years and has no outlet gates or associated locks. The dam's last inspection in November 2008 revealed a need for regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued functionality and safety. As climate change impacts water resources, maintaining and managing structures like Maple River Diversion becomes increasingly important for sustainable water management in the area.
As a key part of the local water infrastructure, Maple River Diversion contributes to the overall water management strategy in the region. With the potential to impact downstream communities and ecosystems, the dam's condition assessment, risk management measures, and emergency action plans need to be regularly updated and adhered to. By staying vigilant and proactive in monitoring and maintaining the dam, authorities can ensure the safety and effectiveness of Maple River Diversion for both water resource management and climate 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 Maple River Diversion -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Le Sueur River Near Rapidan | 3,650 cfs | → |
| Blue Earth River Near Rapidan | 3,920 cfs | → |
| Watonwan River Near Garden City | 1,380 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Mankato | 11,300 cfs | → |
| Little Cottonwood River Near Courtland | 103 cfs | → |
| Straight River Near Faribault | 286 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Maple River Diversion.
Boat launches
- 571st Lane Blue Earth County
- Inshore Road 11383, Blue Earth County
- Impulse Road 10041, Blue Earth County
- 400th Avenue 23339, Faribault County
- West Richway Drive 630, Albert Lea
- T-750 Blue Earth County
Track Maple River Diversion 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 Maple River Diversion
Where does the data for Maple River Diversion 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 Maple River Diversion.