In order to meet Federal Energy Regulation Commission requirements, the Byllesby Dam requires some updates.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission regulations require that the dam meet standards for 100 percent of a Probable Maximum Flood, the most severe possible flood calculated by combining information about precipitation, geology, and water management strategies.
It is calculated partially by the Probable Maximum Precipitation, which is the greatest theoretical amount of precipitation for an area.
A part of the Byllesby Dam will be going through some construction updates in 2012-2013. Dakota County will inform residents of specific details about this project prior to construction. To reach the worst-case scenario, the Cannon River Watershed area would need to get the equivalent of 24 inches of rain over a 10-square mile area in six hours.