Nest Lake dam
Nest Lake
Nest Lake, also known as Old Mill Inn, is a quaint water resource nestled in Kandiyohi, Minnesota, owned and regulated by the local government. This gravity dam, completed in 1964, serves as a vital component in managing the Crow River Middle Fork's flow, with a storage capacity of 13,212 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,008 acres. Despite its poor condition assessment, the dam poses a low hazard potential and undergoes inspections every 8 years to ensure its structural integrity.
With a maximum discharge capacity of 435 cubic feet per second, Nest Lake plays a crucial role in flood control and water supply management for the surrounding area. Its primary purpose, classified as "Other," highlights its multifaceted utility beyond traditional hydroelectric or irrigation functions. The dam's strategic location and modest height of 7 feet make it a valuable asset in safeguarding the local ecosystem and supporting sustainable development in the region.
Nest Lake's serene landscape and functional design underscore the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, this dam stands as a testament to proactive infrastructure investments and regulatory oversight. Despite its age and maintenance challenges, Nest Lake remains a key player in safeguarding the environmental and socio-economic interests of Kandiyohi County, epitomizing the importance of sustainable water resource management in a changing climate.
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 Nest Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sauk River Near St. Cloud | 531 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At St. Cloud | 5,460 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Milan | 696 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Watson | 403 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Montevideo | 1,910 cfs | → |
| Yellow Medicine River Near Granite Falls | 193 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nest Lake.
Boat launches
- 132nd Avenue Northeast 4303, Kandiyohi County
- 187th Avenue Northeast 8138, Kandiyohi County
- County Road 9 Northeast 19500, New London
- 88th Avenue Northeast Kandiyohi County
- Kandiyohi County
- County Road 5 Northwest Kandiyohi County
Campgrounds
- Green Lake County Park Campground
- Sibley State Park Campground
- Diamond Lake County Park Campgrounds
- Games Lake County Park
- Sandy Point Park
- Lake Koronis Regional Park
Track Nest 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 Nest Lake
Where does the data for Nest 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 Nest Lake.