Roosevelt Lake dam
Roosevelt Lake
Located in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, Roosevelt Lake is a gravity dam structure built in 1936 with a primary purpose of "Other". The dam stands at a height of 8 feet and has a hydraulic height of 1.6 feet, with a length of 41 feet. With a maximum storage capacity of 72,412 acre-feet and a normal storage of 67,360 acre-feet, Roosevelt Lake covers an expansive surface area of 1,510 acres and is fed by Crooked Creek.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Roosevelt Lake is in a satisfactory condition with a low hazard potential. The dam is under state regulation, with permitting, inspection, and enforcement conducted by the MNDNR EWR. Despite its risk assessment of "Very High (1)", the lake has not been modified in recent years and remains a vital water resource in the region. With its controlled spillway and historical significance as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project, Roosevelt Lake is a key feature in the local water infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Roosevelt Lake offers a blend of historical charm and modern water management practices. With its impressive storage capacity, surface area, and controlled spillway system, the lake serves as a valuable asset for flood control, recreation, and wildlife habitat. As a low-hazard structure under the watchful eye of the Minnesota DNR, Roosevelt Lake stands as a testament to effective dam management and the importance of maintaining critical water resources in the face of climate-related challenges.
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 Roosevelt Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 2,330 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 2,630 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 580 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 349 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 212 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Roosevelt Lake.
Boat launches
- Mill Road Emily
- Cass County
- Ruttger Road 7907, Crow Wing County
- Wabedo
- Wabedo Pass Road Northeast Wabedo
- Red Cedar Lodge Drive Crow Wing County
Campgrounds
- Clint Converse - Land Olakes State Forest
- Land O'Lakes Sf - Clint Converse
- Washburn Lake - Land Olakes State Forest
- Ronald Cloutier - Cross Lake
- Us Army Corps Of Engineers Campground
- Land O'Lakes Sf - Baker And White Oak Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The Discharge Of The Flood Diversion Channel To Riverton
- The Boundary Between Logan And Workman Townships In Aitkin County To The Dam Entrance Of The Flood Diversion Channel
- The 25-Acre Island Just South Of Brainerd To Roscoe Island
- The Confluence Of The Prairie River To The Boundary Of Logan And Workman Townships
- Lake Winnigigoshish To Blackwater Lake
- Cass Lake To Lake Winnibigoshish
More reservoirs
Track Roosevelt 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 Roosevelt Lake
Where does the data for Roosevelt 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 Roosevelt Lake.