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<br />Ramsey County | Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan 39 <br />3.6 Dam/Levee Failure <br />3.6.1 PROFILE <br />Dams are structures built across a river, stream, or other body of water designed to control and manage <br />water flow. Dams create reservoirs, which can supply water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial <br />use, manage water resources, and provide recreational opportunities. Levees are an embankment or <br />natural ridge constructed along the edges of a river or other body of water to prevent flooding of the <br />adjacent land. Levees serve to protect populated areas, agricultural lands, and infrastructure from <br />floodwaters. Failures of dams and levees can result in sudden and severe flooding. The causes of such <br />failures include natural hazards (earthquakes, flooding severe weather conditions), human-made threats <br />(terrorism, human error) or other key factors such as structural deficiencies or improper maintenance, <br />leading to compromise the integrity of the dam or levee. When a dam or levee fails, the rapid release of <br />water can inundate downstream areas, leading to loss of life, extensive property damage, and <br />environmental destruction. Populated areas, agricultural lands, and infrastructure located downstream <br />are particularly vulnerable to impacts. The cascading effects can also include disruption of utilities, <br />transportation networks, and other critical infrastructure. There are seven dams and no levees located <br />in Ramsey County. <br />3.6.2 LOCATION <br />Table 11 shows dams that are located within the Ramsey County geographical boundaries. There are <br />also three additional dams outside the county’s borders that have been identified as potential risks to <br />the county: Coon Rapids Dam in Anoka County and St. Anthony Falls Upper and Lower Lock and Dams in <br />Hennepin County. <br />Table 13. Dams Located in Ramsey County <br />Name Owner River Primary <br />Purpose <br />Year <br />Built <br />NID <br />Height <br />Dam <br />Type <br />Classification <br />Arlington <br />Detention <br />City of Saint <br />Paul <br />Phalen <br />Creek <br />tributary <br />Flood Risk <br />Reduction 1989 15' Earth Significant <br />Battle Creek <br />WD of <br />Ramsey- <br />Washington <br />Metro <br />Battle Creek Flood Risk <br />Reduction 1982 30' Earth High <br />Battle Creek <br />Middle <br />WD of <br />Ramsey- <br />Washington <br />Metro <br />Battle Creek Flood Risk <br />Reduction 1983 16' sunk High <br />Battle Creek <br />Upper <br />WD of <br />Ramsey- <br />Washington <br />Metro <br />Battle Creek Flood Risk <br />Reduction 1983 18' unk High <br />Hansen Park City of New <br />Brighton <br />Rice Creek <br />tributary Recreation 7’ Low <br />Keller Lake RWMWD Keller Creek Recreation 1938 12' Gravity Low