Olmsted County Flood Control Reservoirs

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Olmsted County Flood Control Reservoirs

Bob Ekblad

	There are seven reservoirs/dams that were constructed as part of the flood control project to help protect Rochester from future flooding by the Zumbro River. The river banks in Rochester also were changed from dirt to rip-rap and cement walls. Although there was some loss of habitat within the city, the overall result was an improvement in habitat. Because of the reservoirs, more species are being sighted in the county and in greater numbers for more extended periods of time. As a result, the birding in the county has improved.

	RESERVOIRS EAST OF ROCHESTER 1. SILVER CREEK - located east of Cty 11 and north of Silver Creek Road (the road that parallels Cty 9 one mile north). Viewing access is from Silver Creek Road or the short dead end road going east from Cty 11. 2. CHESTER WOODS - located about 1 mile east of Chester on Hwy 14. Access is via Chester Woods Park (fee) or from a stub road that enters on the west side of the park.

	RESERVOIRS SOUTH OF ROCHESTER 3. WILLOW CREEK - located west of Cty 147 which runs parallel to and west of Hwy 63. Access is via Cty 147 to a parking area that overlooks the reservoir. 4. SCOUT CAMP - located on the west side of the new Boy Scout camp that is west of Cty 1 and south of Cty 101. Very limited access via the scout camp and apparently not much of a draw for waterfowl since not much has been seen when people have walked in to check it out.

	RESERVOIRS WEST OF ROCHESTER 5. EAST LANDFILL - located east of the road that runs along the east side of the new solid waste landfill. The landfill is located one mile west of Cty 104 on Cty 156 (about 1 mile north of Hwy 14). Viewing access is via the N-S road that runs east of the landfill. This reservoir is the best of all of them in terms of viewing access since the water comes right up to the road. 6. SOUTH LANDFILL - located directly across the road to the south of the landfill entrance. Viewing access is from the road along in front of the landfill entrance. The reservoirs near the landfill have nothing to do with the landfill operation (I hope!). They are real close to it and therefore more easily referenced to it. 7. TREE DUMP - located west of Rochester on Cty 4 then south on a dead end road to the tree dump (one mile east of Cty 104). The dam is built but so far there has not been any water retained behind it (in spite of what is shown on the map).


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