Crissy Lake dam
Crissy Lake
Crissy Lake, also known as Pomme De Terre River, is a state-regulated water resource located in Appleton, Minnesota. Constructed in 1939 by the Works Progress Administration - Civil Works (WPA-CW), this gravity dam serves primarily for recreational purposes. With a structural height of 12 feet and a dam length of 142 feet, Crissy Lake has a storage capacity of 1521 acre-feet, making it a significant water feature in the area.
The dam has a satisfactory condition assessment as of September 2013 and is inspected every four years for maintenance and safety purposes. With a hazard potential classified as significant, the dam poses a risk that is closely monitored. The surrounding area of Crissy Lake spans 56 acres and drains a watershed area of 461 acres, with a maximum discharge capacity of 4450 cubic feet per second. The dam's location in Stevens County, Minnesota, adds to its appeal for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in exploring the diverse ecosystems supported by the Pomme De Terre River.
Overall, Crissy Lake stands as a testament to the intersection of human engineering and natural beauty, providing a recreational haven in the midst of Minnesota's landscape. Its historical significance, combined with its functional role in water management, makes it a valuable asset for both the local community and visitors alike. As climate change continues to impact water resources, maintaining the integrity and safety of structures like Crissy Lake will be essential for sustainable water management practices in the region.
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 Crissy Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pomme De Terre River At Appleton | 228 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Milan | 651 cfs | → |
| Yellow Bank River Near Odessa | 71 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Ortonville | 84 cfs | → |
| Whetstone River Near Big Stone City | 72 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River Near Lac Qui Parle | 921 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crissy Lake.
Boat launches
- Swift County
- County Road 53 Big Stone County
- Pope County
- North Pelican Lake Road 17134, Long Beach
- Viking Trail 16246, Douglas County
- Twin Lakes Road Southwest Douglas County
Track Crissy 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 Crissy Lake
Where does the data for Crissy 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 Significant 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 Crissy Lake.