Ernst Pool, located in Mora, Minnesota, is a state-regulated earth dam completed in 1958 on the Knife River. With a dam height of 12 feet and a length of 510 feet, this structure serves multiple purposes, including storing water for irrigation and recreational activities. The dam has a normal storage capacity of 300 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 650 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 48 acres and draining a 6.7 square mile watershed.

Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Ernst Pool has a low hazard potential and is inspected every 8 years to ensure its structural integrity. Despite not being rated for condition assessment, the dam continues to serve as a vital water resource for the local community. With its location in Mille Lacs County, this dam offers a glimpse into the intersection of water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in the region, highlighting the importance of sustainable infrastructure development in the face of changing environmental conditions.