Lake Louise dam
Lake Louise
Lake Louise is a charming reservoir located in Leroy, Minnesota, alongside the Little Iowa River. Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, this state-regulated dam serves primarily for recreational purposes and was completed in the year 1900. With a gravity dam type and buttress core type, Lake Louise stands at a height of 12 feet and stretches 250 feet in length, offering a serene surface area of 15 acres for visitors to enjoy.
Surrounded by the picturesque Mower County landscape, Lake Louise provides a tranquil escape for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking a peaceful retreat. The dam boasts a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all who visit. The reservoir's storage capacity of 150 acre-feet and drainage area of 64 square miles make it a valuable asset to the local ecosystem, while its proximity to the St. Paul District adds to its significance within the region.
Visitors to Lake Louise can bask in the beauty of its natural surroundings, partake in recreational activities, and appreciate the conservation efforts undertaken by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Whether one seeks a day of fishing, boating, or simply soaking in the serene atmosphere, Lake Louise offers a tranquil haven for water enthusiasts to connect with nature and appreciate the importance of sustainable water resource management in a changing climate.
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 Louise -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar River Near Austin | 167 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Pilot Mound | 393 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River At Bluffton | 256 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Charles City | 616 cfs | → |
| Little Cedar River Near Ionia | 270 cfs | → |
| Turkey River At Spillville | 104 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Louise.
Boat launches
- Wapsi Great Western Line Mitchell County
- Miller Street Howard County
- Howard County
- Valley Avenue Howard County
- Oakland Place Northeast Austin
Campgrounds
- Riverview Group Camp
- Red Oak Group Camp
- Lake Louise State Park
- Pinicon Alders Wildlife Area
- Lake Hendricks Park Campground
- Adams City Park Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track Lake Louise 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 Louise
Where does the data for Lake Louise 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 Louise.