Locke Lake dam
Locke Lake
Locke Lake, also known as Fridley Mill Pond, is a picturesque water resource located in Anoka, Minnesota. Managed by the local government, this recreational lake sits along the Rice Creek with a concrete dam that stands at 21 feet high and 100 feet long. Completed in 1956, Locke Lake offers a surface area of 23 acres and a storage capacity of 320 acre-feet, making it a popular spot for outdoor activities and water enthusiasts.
With a significant hazard potential due to its location and structure, Locke Lake is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its integrity and safety. The dam's condition has been assessed as satisfactory, with the last inspection conducted in October 2014. Despite the very high risk assessment rating, the lake continues to be a beloved recreational spot in the area, drawing visitors for fishing, boating, and enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Situated within the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Locke Lake is a key destination for those interested in water resources and climate. Its controlled spillway, very high risk rating, and historical significance make it a valuable site for studying the intersection of human infrastructure and environmental conservation. As an essential part of the local ecosystem, Locke Lake serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Locke Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River Near Anoka | 8,920 cfs | → |
| Shingle Creek At Queen Ave In Minneapolis | 6 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Anoka | 7,700 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Champlin | 21 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At St. Paul | 15,400 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park | 6,620 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Locke Lake.
Boat launches
- Brooklyn Park
- Riverfront Reg. Park Launch
- Silver Lake City Park Launch
- I 694 New Brighton
- Coon Rapids Dam Reg. Park
- Crystal Lake Regional Trail Robbinsdale
Campgrounds
- Bunker Hills Regional Park
- Bunker Hills Campground
- Rice Creek Chain Of Lakes Regional Park
- Halfmoon Group Camps
- Baker Park Reserve
- Oak Knoll Group Camp
Track Locke 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 Locke Lake
Where does the data for Locke 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 Significant 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 Locke Lake.