Prior Lake dam
Prior Lake
Prior Lake, also known as Lower Prior Lake, is a state-regulated water resource located in Scott County, Minnesota. Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, this concrete gravity dam serves primarily for recreation purposes, with a storage capacity of 1,760 acre-feet and a surface area of 1,056 acres. The dam, with a height of 12 feet and a length of 8 feet, is situated on the Minnesota River-TR stream.
Despite being classified with a low hazard potential, the dam at Prior Lake has not been rated for its condition assessment. The last inspection was conducted in June 2010, with a scheduled inspection frequency of every 8 years. The risk assessment for this structure is moderate, with a DSAC (Dam Safety Action Classification) score of 3. Emergency action plans, inundation maps, and risk management measures are currently not available for Prior Lake.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate can appreciate the unique features of Prior Lake and the efforts put forth by state agencies to regulate and maintain the dam's safety. With its picturesque setting and recreational opportunities, Prior Lake serves as a vital resource for the community while also highlighting the importance of proper dam management and risk assessment in ensuring public safety and environmental preservation.
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 Prior Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota River Near Jordan | 11,800 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park | 6,620 cfs | → |
| Vermillion River Near Empire | 42 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At St. Paul | 18,100 cfs | → |
| Shingle Creek At Queen Ave In Minneapolis | 19 cfs | → |
| High Island Creek Near Henderson | 72 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Prior Lake.
Boat launches
- Townline Avenue 14193, Shakopee
- Townline Avenue 14554, Shakopee
- Crystal Lake Road East 60, Burnsville
- 195th Street West Lakeville
- Cr 101 Shakopee
- Staring Lake Parkway Eden Prairie
Track Prior 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 Prior Lake
Where does the data for Prior 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 Prior Lake.