Pelican Rapids dam
Pelican Rapids
Pelican Rapids, located in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, is home to a gravity dam on the Pelican River. Built in 1870 and standing at a height of 16 feet, this structure serves primarily for recreational purposes. Despite its historical significance, the dam is in poor condition and has a high hazard potential, making it a cause for concern among water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Pelican Rapids dam has a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet and a maximum discharge of 755 cubic feet per second. With a drainage area of 345 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in controlling the flow of water in the region. However, its poor condition and high hazard potential underscore the need for diligent inspection, maintenance, and potential risk management measures to ensure the safety and longevity of this important infrastructure.
Given its historical significance, recreational purpose, and high hazard potential, the Pelican Rapids dam presents a complex challenge for local authorities and environmental agencies. With a risk assessment rating of "Very High (1)", stakeholders must work together to address the dam's poor condition and mitigate potential risks to surrounding communities and ecosystems. As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor and advocate for the sustainable management of our natural resources, the future of the Pelican Rapids dam remains a focal point for ongoing discussions and actions towards resilience and adaptation in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Pelican Rapids -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 338 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Hawley | 45 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls | 529 cfs | → |
| South Branch Buffalo River At Sabin | 69 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Wahpeton | 722 cfs | → |
| Wild Rice River Nr Abercrombie | 134 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pelican Rapids.
Boat launches
- Crystal Lake Public Water Access
- Blue Bell Road 43243, Otter Tail County
- County Road 31 51047, Otter Tail County
- Becker County
- County Highway 22 20820, Lake Eunice
- Mac Circle 33036, Otter Tail County
Campgrounds
- Sherin Memorial Park/Campground
- Sherin Memorial City Campground
- Maplewood State Park Campground
- Maplewood State Park
- Rothsay City Park
- Wagner Park
Fishing spots
Track Pelican Rapids 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 Pelican Rapids
Where does the data for Pelican Rapids 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 High 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 Pelican Rapids.