Devil Track dam
Devil Track
Devil Track, located in Grand Marais, Minnesota, is a federal-owned dam on the Devil Track River with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1987, this rockfill dam stands at a height of 12 feet and has a storage capacity of 17,000 acre-feet. With a surface area of 1,873 acres and a drainage area of 24 square miles, Devil Track provides a serene setting for fishing, wildlife observation, and other recreational activities.
Managed by the Forest Service, Devil Track Dam has a low hazard potential and is not currently rated for condition assessment. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 25 feet, and it has a maximum discharge capacity of 900 cubic feet per second. Despite its moderate risk level, Devil Track Dam is equipped to handle potential emergencies, with an inspection frequency of 10 years. The dam's surrounding area is well-maintained for public safety and enjoyment, aligning with its primary purpose of providing recreational opportunities for visitors.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate Devil Track as a vital piece of infrastructure in Cook County, Minnesota. With its strategic location on the Devil Track River and its role in managing water flow and storage, Devil Track Dam contributes to the region's ecosystem health and recreational offerings. As a federally regulated structure under the oversight of the Forest Service, Devil Track Dam is a testament to responsible water resource management and serves as a valuable asset for residents and visitors alike to enjoy and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
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 Devil Track -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeon River At Middle Falls Nr Grand Portage Mn | 185 cfs | → |
| Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 108 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Devil Track.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Devil Track
Where does the data for Devil Track 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 below 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.
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.