Emerald Valley dam
Emerald Valley
Emerald Valley, located in Jackson, Minnesota, is a privately-owned dam that plays a crucial role in regulating water flow in the Heron Lake-TR river system. The dam stands at 27 feet tall and stretches 260 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 61 acre-feet. Although it was completed in an unspecified year, the dam is regularly inspected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to ensure its structural integrity and regulatory compliance.
Despite its relatively low hazard potential, Emerald Valley dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. However, it is equipped with an emergency action plan and emergency contacts for quick response in case of any unforeseen incidents. The dam's primary purpose and associated structures are not specified, but its presence serves as a vital resource for water management and conservation efforts in the region.
As a part of the Rock Island District and under the regulatory oversight of the MNDNR EWR, Emerald Valley dam stands as a testament to the importance of private ownership in maintaining essential water infrastructure. Its location in the picturesque Emerald Valley area adds to its significance, making it a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Emerald Valley -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River At Jackson | 522 cfs | → |
| Ocheyedan River Near Spencer | 417 cfs | → |
| Rock River Below Tom Creek At Rock Rapids | 149 cfs | → |
| Watonwan River Near Garden City | 1,380 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River At Linn Grove | 1,490 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood River Near New Ulm | 495 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Emerald Valley.
Boat launches
- 140th Street 24728, Orleans
- 150th Street Spirit Lake
- Mountain Lake Cycle Path Mountain Lake
- 130th Street 3653, Emmet County
- Linden Drive 184, Arnolds Park
- Park Avenue Worthington
Campgrounds
- Spark's Park
- Kilen Woods State Park
- Anderson County Park Campground
- Robertson Park
- Brown Parik
- Brown Park South Campground
More reservoirs
Track Emerald Valley 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 Emerald Valley
Where does the data for Emerald Valley 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 Emerald Valley.