Black Bear Lake dam
Black Bear Lake
Black Bear Lake, located in Crow Wing, Minnesota, is a picturesque reservoir on the Mississippi River managed by the state. Built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA-C), this gravity dam stands at 8 feet tall and has a storage capacity of 6,716 acre-feet. With a surface area of 210 acres and a normal storage capacity of 5,840 acre-feet, Black Bear Lake serves as a vital water resource in the region.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Black Bear Lake is considered to have a very high risk, which requires careful monitoring and management. The dam features a controlled spillway and is designed for other purposes beyond flood control or water supply. With its strategic location and historical significance, Black Bear Lake is a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and sustainability of reservoirs in Minnesota.
With its unique design and historical significance, Black Bear Lake is a captivating destination for those passionate about water resources and climate resilience. Managed by the state of Minnesota, this gravity dam provides essential water storage on the Mississippi River. Despite its low hazard potential, the reservoir is categorized as having a very high risk, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management efforts to ensure its continued safety and functionality. For enthusiasts seeking to explore the intersection of water resources, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability, Black Bear Lake offers a fascinating case study in reservoir management and risk assessment.
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.
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 Black Bear Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 2,350 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 2,040 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 1,180 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 343 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Royalton | 3,670 cfs | → |
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 174 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Black Bear Lake.
Boat launches
- County Road 116 Crow Wing County
- Rowe Road 16623, Riverton
- Cr 128 21679, Crow Wing County
- County Road 109 Crow Wing County
- Slikstone Drive Crow Wing County
- Town Road 213 18505, Crow Wing County
Campgrounds
- Cuyuna Country State Park - Portsmouth Campground
- Cuyuna Country Sra - Portsmouth Cg
- True North Basecamp
- Crosby Memorial City Park Campground
- Crosby Memorial Park
- Cuyuna Mountain Bike Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The 25-Acre Island Just South Of Brainerd To Roscoe Island
- The Discharge Of The Flood Diversion Channel To Riverton
- The Boundary Between Logan And Workman Townships In Aitkin County To The Dam Entrance Of The Flood Diversion Channel
- Blanchard Dam To Ends One Mile Downstream From The Southern Village Boundary Of Rice
- The Confluence Of The Prairie River To The Boundary Of Logan And Workman Townships
Track Black Bear Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Black Bear Lake
Where does the data for Black Bear Lake 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 above 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.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Black Bear Lake.