Lower Red Dam dam
Lower Red Dam
Lower Red Dam, also known as Red Lake Reservoir, is a federal-owned structure located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Built in 1931 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this earth dam stands at a height of 15 feet and has a storage capacity of 3,428,000 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, and it serves as a crucial component in managing water levels along the Red Lake River.
The dam features a controlled spillway with a width of 64 feet and is equipped with four slide gates for water release. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is subject to regular inspections and risk assessments to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The US Army Corps of Engineers actively manages flood risks associated with the dam by monitoring its condition, engaging with emergency managers, and updating emergency action plans.
Overall, Lower Red Dam plays a vital role in water resource management and climate resilience in the region. As climate change continues to pose challenges, it is essential to prioritize the maintenance and monitoring of such critical infrastructure to safeguard communities and the environment from potential risks.
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 Lower Red Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Red Lake River Near Red Lake | 200 cfs | → |
| Red Lake River At High Landing Nr Goodridge | 302 cfs | → |
| Lost River At Oklee | 44 cfs | → |
| Clearwater River At Plummer | 71 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Bemidji | 264 cfs | → |
| Thief River Near Thief River Falls | 135 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lower Red Dam.
Boat launches
- Mn 1; Mn 89 Clearwater County
- Reservation Hwy 36 Clearwater County
- Lasley Road Beltrami County
- Mn 1; Mn 89 Beltrami County
- Mckenzie Road Red Lake
- Wanakwew Road Beltrami County
Campgrounds
- Clearbrook City Park
- Oklee City Park North
- Tilberg Park
- Grygla Camping Area
- Ralph J. Klein City Park
- Bagley City Park Campground
Fishing spots
Track Lower Red Dam 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 Lower Red Dam
Where does the data for Lower Red Dam 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 Lower Red Dam.