Finstad Pond dam
Finstad Pond
Finstad Pond, located in Crane Lake, Minnesota, is a privately owned fish and wildlife pond that was completed in 1966 by the USDA NRCS. With a dam height of 10 feet and a storage capacity of 58 acre-feet, this earth dam structure serves as a habitat for various aquatic species and provides recreational opportunities for the local community. The pond's low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment make it a relatively safe and stable water resource in the region.
Situated on the TR-Echo River and covering an area of 10 acres, Finstad Pond plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem by supporting diverse wildlife and vegetation. Despite not being regulated by the state, the pond serves as a valuable resource for conservation efforts and environmental education. The uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates help maintain the pond's water levels and ensure proper drainage, while the surrounding stone core and soil foundation contribute to the structural integrity of the dam.
Although not currently rated for its condition, Finstad Pond continues to be a significant asset for the St. Louis County community, offering opportunities for fishing, birdwatching, and other outdoor activities. With its peaceful surroundings and abundant natural beauty, this pond serves as a prime example of sustainable water management and ecosystem preservation in the region.
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 Finstad Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Vermilion River Nr Crane Lake | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Gold Portage Outlet From Kabetogama Lk Nr Ray | 467 cfs | → |
| Basswood River Near Winton | 6,670 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi R Abv White Iron Lake Nr Ely | 2,210 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 1,450 cfs | → |
| Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 1,010 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Finstad Pond.
Boat launches
- Crane Lake Road Saint Louis County
- Astrid Trail (6029a) Saint Louis County
- Echo Trail Saint Louis County
- Johnson Parkway Orr
- Mead Wood Road Saint Louis County
- Saint Louis County
Campgrounds
- Echo Lake Campground
- Echo Lake
- Echo Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
- Crane Lake
- Franklin Lake
- Myrtle Lake
Paddle runs
- Section 26, T65n, R17w To Section 31, T66n, R17w
- Section 31, T66n, R17w To Crane Lake
- Wolf Bay Of Lake Vermilion To Section 26, T65n, R17w
More reservoirs
Track Finstad Pond 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 Finstad Pond
Where does the data for Finstad Pond 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 Finstad Pond.