Twp Road 18 dam
Twp Road 18
Twp Road 18 is a vital flood risk reduction structure located in Tracy, Minnesota, along the Cottonwood River. Built in 2000 by MNDOT, this earth dam stands at 23 feet tall and spans 600 feet in length. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a normal storage capacity of 1 acre-foot and a maximum discharge rate of 556 cubic feet per second. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is under state regulation by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Environmental and Water Resources Division.
The dam's design features a buttress core type and an uncontrolled spillway, with an unlisted/unknown foundation. It is inspected every 8 years, with the last assessment conducted in 2016. The structure has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, indicating a need for ongoing risk management measures. While no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or inundation maps have been prepared, the dam's emergency contacts and risk management procedures are up to date. With its critical role in protecting the surrounding area from flooding, Twp Road 18 remains a key asset in water resource management for Lyon County.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the detailed information available for Twp Road 18, showcasing its importance in flood risk reduction efforts in Minnesota. The dam's location, design specifications, and regulatory oversight provide insight into the complexities of managing water infrastructure in environmentally sensitive areas. As climate change continues to impact precipitation patterns and water levels, structures like Twp Road 18 play a crucial role in safeguarding communities and ecosystems from the threat of flooding. By understanding the nuances of this dam's construction, maintenance, and risk assessment, enthusiasts can gain a deeper appreciation for the intersection of water resources and climate resilience 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 Twp Road 18 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Redwood River Near Marshall | 40 cfs | → |
| Redwood River Near Redwood Falls | 194 cfs | → |
| Yellow Medicine River Near Granite Falls | 153 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Morton | 2,390 cfs | → |
| Flandreau Cr Above Flandreau Sd | 3 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Montevideo | 1,310 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Twp Road 18.
Track Twp Road 18 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 Twp Road 18
Where does the data for Twp Road 18 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 Twp Road 18.