Lake Lizzie dam
Lake Lizzie
Lake Lizzie, also known as Hosterman, is a gravity dam located in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Completed in 1938, this dam serves various purposes, including flood control and water storage, with a normal storage capacity of 11,457 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 23,160 acre-feet. The dam stands at a height of 8 feet and has a structural height of 8 feet, with a hydraulic height of 2.8 feet.
Situated on the Pelican River, Lake Lizzie covers an area of 2,000 acres and has a drainage area of 331.1 square miles. Despite its age, the dam's hazard potential is considered low, with a satisfactory condition assessment as of August 2016. The dam is under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR EWR) and is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Lizzie offers a fascinating example of early 20th-century dam engineering and management practices. Its historical significance, combined with its continued utility in modern water management, makes it a noteworthy site for those interested in understanding the intersection of infrastructure, natural resources, and environmental stewardship.
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 Lake Lizzie -- 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 | → |
| Red River Of The North At Hickson | 777 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Lizzie.
Boat launches
- Crystal Lake Public Water Access
- County Road 31 51047, Otter Tail County
- Blue Bell Road 43243, Otter Tail County
- Becker County
- County Highway 22 20820, Lake Eunice
- Mac Circle 33036, Otter Tail County
Campgrounds
- Sherin Memorial City Campground
- Sherin Memorial Park/Campground
- Maplewood State Park Campground
- Maplewood State Park
- Rothsay City Park
- American Legion Park - Detroit Lakes
Fishing spots
Track Lake Lizzie 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 Lake Lizzie
Where does the data for Lake Lizzie 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 Lake Lizzie.