Smith Lake dam
Smith Lake
Smith Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, is a gravity dam completed in 1939 primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, owned and regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, stands at 8.5 feet tall with a hydraulic height of 2.8 feet. With a storage capacity of 2517 acre-feet and a surface area of 220 acres, Smith Lake is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy the water and surrounding natural landscape.
Situated on the Little Cloquet River, Smith Lake boasts a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment as of 2009. Despite its age, the dam continues to operate effectively with a moderate risk rating. The surrounding area offers various recreational activities, including boating, fishing, and hiking, making it a beloved destination for residents and visitors alike. With state inspection, permitting, and enforcement in place, Smith Lake remains a safe and well-maintained water resource for all to enjoy.
Managed by the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Smith Lake's dam plays a crucial role in regulating water levels and providing a recreational oasis in the midst of Minnesota's natural beauty. With its rich history dating back to the Works Progress Administration era, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of preserving and utilizing water resources for both practical and leisure purposes. As climate and water resource enthusiasts, Smith Lake serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between human intervention and environmental stewardship in maintaining sustainable water systems for future generations to enjoy.
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 Smith Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Knife River Near Two Harbors | 21 cfs | → |
| Nemadji River Near South Superior | 162 cfs | → |
| St. Louis River At Scanlon | 2,210 cfs | → |
| Bois Brule River At Brule | 131 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi R Abv White Iron Lake Nr Ely | 1,280 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 739 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith Lake.
Boat launches
- Stewart Lk Road Lake County
- Boulder Dam Road Saint Louis County
- Two Harbors
- Saint Louis County
- Congdon Boulevard Lakewood
- Rice Lake Public Boat Access
Campgrounds
- Mccarthy Creek
- Fox Farm Beaver Pound Campsite
- Ferguson
- Sucker River Campsite
- Indian Lake - Cloquet Valley State Forest
- Indian Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Track Smith 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 Smith Lake
Where does the data for Smith 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 Smith Lake.