Muskrat Lake dam
Muskrat Lake
Muskrat Lake, located in Becker, Minnesota, is a noteworthy water resource managed by the state for navigation purposes. This rockfill dam, completed in 1888, stands at a height of 11 feet and has a hydraulic height of 4 feet, providing a storage capacity of 700 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 59 acres and has a drainage area of 85.1 square miles, with a maximum discharge of 2500 cubic feet per second.
Despite its age, Muskrat Lake's dam is deemed to have a low hazard potential and is in satisfactory condition as of the last inspection in 2015. The structure is under the regulatory oversight of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, ensuring that state permitting, inspection, and enforcement are in place to maintain its integrity. With its picturesque location on the Pelican River and Collin Peterson (D) as the congressional representative, Muskrat Lake Locks and Dam serves as a vital component of the water infrastructure in the region, making it a point of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
This historical site, with its rich heritage dating back to the late 19th century, continues to play a crucial role in water management and navigation in Minnesota. As a testament to engineering excellence, Muskrat Lake stands as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns. Its serene surroundings and functional design make it a compelling destination for those interested in the intersection of water resources, infrastructure, and environmental conservation.
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 Muskrat Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo River Near Hawley | 52 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 358 cfs | → |
| South Branch Buffalo River At Sabin | 88 cfs | → |
| Wild Rice River At Twin Valley | 255 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Dilworth | 162 cfs | → |
| Straight River Near Park Rapids | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Muskrat Lake.
⚓ Boat launches
- West Lake Drive 1360, Detroit Lakes
- West Lake Drive Detroit Lakes
- Heartland Trail Detroit Lakes
- County Highway 22 20820, Lake Eunice
- County Road 31 51047, Otter Tail County
- Valley View Road 31379, Becker County
⛺ Campgrounds
- American Legion Park - Detroit Lakes
- Sherin Memorial City Campground
- Sherin Memorial Park/Campground
- Maplewood State Park
- Maplewood State Park Campground
- Waterfront Park
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →Track Muskrat 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 Muskrat Lake
Where does the data for Muskrat 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 Muskrat Lake.