Maple Lake dam
Maple Lake
Maple Lake, located in Mentor, Minnesota, is a vital water resource managed by local government authorities for flood risk reduction. The dam, completed in 1942, stands at a height of 8 feet and spans 50 feet, providing a storage capacity of 20,352 acre-feet. With a surface area of 1,477 acres and a drainage area of 15.1 square miles, Maple Lake plays a crucial role in managing water flow and mitigating flood risks in the region.
Despite its importance, Maple Lake is currently assessed to be in poor condition, with a low hazard potential. The last inspection conducted in 2016 revealed the need for improvements to ensure the dam's structural integrity and long-term functionality. The state of Minnesota regulates and inspects the dam regularly, highlighting the commitment to maintaining water infrastructure for the safety and well-being of the community.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, Maple Lake serves as a vital asset in managing water levels and protecting against flooding events. With ongoing assessments and potential risk management measures, Maple Lake remains a key component in the local water infrastructure network, showcasing the importance of proactive maintenance and oversight in safeguarding against environmental challenges.
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 Maple Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Judicial Ditch 64 Near Mentor | 43 cfs | → |
| County Ditch 72 (Burnham Ck) Nr. Maple Bay (Sw3) | 0 cfs | → |
| County Ditch 65 Near Maple Bay | 1 cfs | → |
| Cyr Creek Near Marcoux Corners | 42 cfs | → |
| Clearwater River At Red Lake Falls | 213 cfs | → |
| Lost River At Oklee | 40 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Maple Lake.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Agassiz Environmental Learning Center
- Sportsman's Park
- Plummwe Park
- Oklee City Park North
- Fosston City Campground
- Old Crossing Treaty Park
Track Maple 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 Maple Lake
Where does the data for Maple 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 Maple Lake.