Mud Lake dam
Mud Lake
Mud Lake is a fascinating water resource located in Henriette, Minnesota, along Mud Creek. This state-regulated dam, built in 1936 by the WPA-C, stands at a modest height of 6 feet with a gravity core type structure. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam serves an important function, offering a normal storage capacity of 1478 acre-feet and a drainage area of 38.1 square miles.
With a surface area of 249 acres and a maximum discharge of 1360 cubic feet per second, Mud Lake provides both recreational and environmental benefits to the local community. Its controlled spillway, satisfactory condition assessment, and very high risk assessment rating make it a key asset in managing water resources in Kanabec County. The dam's historical significance and ongoing state oversight ensure its continued operation for the benefit of water and climate enthusiasts in the region.
As a state-owned structure, Mud Lake is subject to regular inspections and enforcement by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, providing assurance of its safety and reliability. Its location in a scenic area surrounded by natural beauty and wildlife makes it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. With a rich history dating back to the New Deal era, Mud Lake stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
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.
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mud Lake.
Boat launches
- Pomroy Beach Drive 2918, Kanabec County
- 1st Avenue Northeast 34, Pine City
- Pine County
- Stevens Creek Landing Rock Creek
- St Croix Road Pine County
- Town Of Grantsburg
Campgrounds
- Snake River - Chengwatana State Forest
- Snake River Campground
- St Croix Nsr - Mile 82.7
- Snake River County Park
- St Croix Nsr -Old Railroad Bridge Landing
- Old Rr Bridge
Paddle runs
- The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam To The Confluence With St. Croix River
- Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam
- The Beaver Islands At St. Cloud To The Confluence Of The Clearwater River
- The Confluence Of The Clearwater River To The Northwestern Corporate Boundary Of Anoka
More reservoirs
Track Mud 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 Mud Lake
Where does the data for Mud 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 Mud Lake.