Blanche Lake dam
Blanche Lake
Blanche Lake, located in Otter Tail, Minnesota, is a state-regulated reservoir with a gravity dam constructed in 1938 by the WPA-C. The dam stands at a height of 7 feet and has a hydraulic height of 1.5 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 24,500 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 20,400 acre-feet. The reservoir covers a surface area of 1352 acres and has a drainage area of 160 square miles, with a maximum discharge of 2569 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Blanche Lake poses a very high risk due to its location and potential impact on the surrounding area. The reservoir is equipped with a controlled spillway and has a controlled outlet structure. The last inspection conducted in August 2016 indicated that the dam was in fair condition, with an inspection frequency of every 8 years. The reservoir is primarily used for purposes other than flood control or water supply, making it a unique and valuable resource for the community.
Blanche Lake, with its picturesque location and historical significance, serves as a vital water resource for the region. Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the reservoir plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts. With its rich history and strategic location on Blanche Creek, this gravity dam stands as a testament to the ingenuity and foresight of its designers, providing both recreational opportunities and essential water supply for the surrounding area.
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 Blanche Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 341 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls | 525 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 343 cfs | → |
| Straight River Near Park Rapids | 46 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Wahpeton | 729 cfs | → |
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 169 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Blanche Lake.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Glendalough State Park Canoe Campsite
- Glendalough State Park Cart-In Campgrounds
- Glendalough State Park Campground
- Glendalough State Park
- Eagle Stone City Campground
- Inspiration Point At Twin Oaks
Fishing spots
Track Blanche 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 Blanche Lake
Where does the data for Blanche 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 Blanche Lake.