Pelican Lake dam
Pelican Lake
Pelican Lake, located in Grant County, Minnesota, is a picturesque reservoir formed by a dam on the Pomme de Terre River. Built in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), this recreational lake covers an area of 3,285 acres and has a maximum storage capacity of 3,285 acre-feet. The dam at Pelican Lake stands at a height of 9 feet and is primarily used for recreation, offering visitors opportunities for boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Despite being a low hazard potential structure with a satisfactory condition assessment, Pelican Lake has not been subject to state regulation, inspection, or permitting. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, and its design features a buttress core type with an unlisted/unknown foundation. The reservoir's drainage area is 77.6 square miles, with the Pomme de Terre River serving as its primary water source. The site is also notable for its association with the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Overall, Pelican Lake offers a tranquil retreat for water resource and climate enthusiasts, with its serene waters, abundant recreational activities, and rich natural surroundings. While the dam itself poses a low risk, the reservoir remains a beloved destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of Minnesota's countryside. Whether you're interested in boating, fishing, or simply unwinding by the water's edge, Pelican Lake provides a scenic haven for all who visit.
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 Pelican Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls | 529 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 338 cfs | → |
| Bois De Sioux River Near Doran | 143 cfs | → |
| Bois De Sioux River Near White Rock | 91 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Wahpeton | 722 cfs | → |
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 163 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pelican Lake.
Boat launches
- Twin Lakes Road Southwest Douglas County
- North Main Street 364, Underwood
- Douglas County
- Lake Shore Drive Battle Lake
- Viking Trail 16246, Douglas County
- Viking Trail Douglas County
Track Pelican 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 Pelican Lake
Where does the data for Pelican 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 Pelican Lake.