South Zumbro Br-1

Bear Creek· Olmsted, Minnesota· Built 1991· Earth· 61 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

South Zumbro Br-1 is classified as high hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1991 and is 35 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 61 ft (taller than 98% in MN)
Dam Length1,060 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.9K acre-ft
Surface Area118 acres
Drainage Area13 sq mi
Max Discharge408 cfs
Year Completed1991 (35 years old)
NID IDMN00992

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: May 10, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

City of Rochester

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of South Zumbro Br-1?

South Zumbro Br-1 is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates South Zumbro Br-1?

South Zumbro Br-1 is owned by City of Rochester (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was South Zumbro Br-1 built?

South Zumbro Br-1 was completed in 1991, making it 35 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of South Zumbro Br-1?

South Zumbro Br-1 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is South Zumbro Br-1?

South Zumbro Br-1 has a dam height of 61 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was South Zumbro Br-1 last inspected?

South Zumbro Br-1 was last inspected on May 10, 2023. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.