St. Louis River dam
St. Louis River
The St. Louis River, located in Forbes, Minnesota, is a vital water supply structure owned by Oglebay Norton Co. The dam, completed in 1963, serves the primary purpose of water supply and is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. With a height of 19 feet and a length of 126 feet, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 600 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 26,000 cubic feet per second.
The St. Louis River dam is classified as having low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of the last inspection in October 2009. Despite its low hazard potential, the risk assessment for the dam indicates a very high risk level (1). The structure is equipped with a controlled spillway and is not associated with any locks or associated structures. The St. Louis River plays a crucial role in water resource management in St. Louis County, Minnesota, with a drainage area of 715.5 square miles.
As a significant water supply source in the region, the St. Louis River dam underscores the importance of monitoring and maintaining water infrastructure to ensure the safety and security of communities that rely on it. With its regulated status and satisfactory condition, the dam stands as a testament to responsible water management practices in the face of potential risks and challenges. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the St. Louis River serves as a microcosm of the intricate balance between water supply needs and environmental considerations in the modern age.
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 St. Louis River -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 162 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 431 cfs | → |
| St. Louis River At Scanlon | 3,220 cfs | → |
| Knife River Near Two Harbors | 74 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi R Abv White Iron Lake Nr Ely | 1,520 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 942 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near St. Louis River.
Boat launches
- Miller Trunk Road Saint Louis County
- Ore-Be-Gone Drive Gilbert
- North 9th Avenue West Virginia
- Mesabi Trail , Buhl
- 6th Street Northeast , Chisholm
Campgrounds
- West Two River
- Sherwood Forest Campground
- Sherwood Forest City Campground
- Buhl Rv Park
- Stubler Beach Campgrounds
- Stubler Beach
Fishing spots
Track St. Louis River 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 St. Louis River
Where does the data for St. Louis River 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 St. Louis River.