Eel Lake dam
Eel Lake
Eel Lake, located in Itasca County, Minnesota, is a picturesque fish and wildlife pond managed by the USDA Forest Service. The lake, formed by an earth dam completed in 1977, has a maximum storage capacity of 360 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 57 acre-feet. With a surface area of 487 acres and a drainage area of 4 square miles, Eel Lake provides habitat for a variety of aquatic species and serves as a recreational spot for nature enthusiasts.
Despite its low hazard potential, Eel Lake has a moderate risk assessment due to its structural modifications in 1977. The dam has a height of 9 feet and a hydraulic height of 4 feet, with a spillway width of 50 feet. The lake's condition assessment is not rated, and it undergoes inspections every 10 years to ensure its safety and functionality. Managed by the Forest Service, Eel Lake is a vital water resource in the region, supporting the diverse ecosystem and providing opportunities for outdoor activities.
With its tranquil waters and abundant wildlife, Eel Lake is a haven for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the beauty of Minnesota's natural landscapes. The lake's remote location, surrounded by the peaceful wilderness of the Itasca County, offers a serene escape for those looking to connect with nature and appreciate the importance of preserving our precious water resources. Whether you're fishing, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the scenic views, Eel Lake is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered and cherished for its ecological significance and recreational value.
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 Eel Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Fork River At Big Falls | 697 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Bemidji | 281 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 254 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 545 cfs | → |
| Little Fork River At Littlefork | 1,380 cfs | → |
| Red Lake River Near Red Lake | 210 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Eel Lake.
⚓ Boat launches
More boat launches →⛺ Campgrounds
- Noma Lake Campground
- T And N Inn Lodging And Campground
- Middle Pigeon Lake Campground
- Paul Bunyan Memorial Park
- Cut Foot Horse Camp
- East Seelye Bay
🎣 Fishing spots
- Bartlett Lake
- Alice Lake
- Ackerman Lakes
- Amik Lake
- Bass (South Island) Lake
- Bearpawguides On Upper Red Lake
🛶 Paddle runs
- Dora Lake To State Highway 6
- Lake Winnigigoshish To Blackwater Lake
- Cass Lake To Lake Winnibigoshish
- The Otter Tail Powerplant To Allen's Bay
- The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7 To Lake Bemidji
- The Confluence Of The Prairie River To The Boundary Of Logan And Workman Townships
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Eel 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 Eel Lake
Where does the data for Eel 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 Eel Lake.