Eagle Lake dam
Eagle Lake
Eagle Lake, located in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, is a gravity dam built in 1936 with a primary purpose of water resource management. The dam stands at a height of 8 feet and stretches 53 feet in length, containing a maximum storage capacity of 6,842 acre-feet. With a normal storage capacity of 5,909 acre-feet, Eagle Lake serves as a vital water source for the surrounding area, covering a surface area of 358 acres and draining a watershed of 123 acres through Daggett Brook.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Eagle Lake's dam is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its structural integrity and safe operation. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is equipped with satisfactory safety measures and emergency protocols. The surrounding area benefits from the lake's regulated water flow, with the dam playing a crucial role in flood control and water supply management, ultimately contributing to the ecological health and sustainability of the region.
Eagle Lake's historical significance as a Works Progress Administration project and its ongoing role in water management make it a noteworthy site for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its picturesque setting and functional design, the dam at Eagle Lake stands as a testament to the importance of responsible water infrastructure in sustaining both natural ecosystems and human communities in Minnesota.
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 Eagle Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 1,700 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 2,420 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 284 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 287 cfs | → |
| Straight River Near Park Rapids | 35 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Eagle Lake.
Boat launches
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Campgrounds
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Fishing spots
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River runs
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About Eagle Lake
Where does the data for Eagle 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 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.