Cross Lake dam
Cross Lake
Cross Lake, located in Pine County, Minnesota, is a state-regulated concrete dam constructed in 1938 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The dam spans 244 feet in length and stands at a height of 10 feet, with a storage capacity of 14,670 acre-feet and a normal storage of 10,156 acre-feet. The reservoir covers an area of 1,013 acres and is fed by the Snake River, with a drainage area of 968 square miles.
The dam at Cross Lake serves a primary purpose of "Other" and is classified as a low hazard potential structure with a satisfactory condition assessment. The spillway type is uncontrolled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 7,750 cubic feet per second. While the risk assessment for the dam is moderate, with a rating of 3, there are currently no inundation maps prepared, and the last inspection was conducted in July 2013 with a frequency of every 8 years. Despite its age, Cross Lake Dam continues to play a vital role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
Overall, Cross Lake Dam is a significant infrastructure asset in Minnesota, providing essential water storage and flood control capabilities. Its historical construction by the WPA and ongoing state regulation by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources showcase the intersection of engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship. With a moderate risk level and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam remains a key element in the region's water resource management efforts, ensuring the safety and security of nearby communities and supporting sustainable development practices.
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 Cross Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Snake River Near Pine City | 447 cfs | → |
| Kettle River Below Sandstone | 476 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls | 3,830 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River Near Danbury | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Rum River Near St. Francis | 428 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Big Lake | 239 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cross Lake.
Boat launches
- 1st Avenue Northeast 34, Pine City
- St Croix Road Pine County
- Stevens Creek Landing Rock Creek
- Town Of Grantsburg
- Pine County
- Rush City Ferry Landing
Campgrounds
- Snake River - Chengwatana State Forest
- Snake River Campground
- St Croix Nsr-Snake River Landing
- Grouse Camp
- Sandrock Cliffs - St. Croix National Scenic River
- Sandrock Cliff
Track Cross 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 Cross Lake
Where does the data for Cross 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 Cross Lake.