Pelican Lake dam
Pelican Lake
Pelican Lake in Minnesota is a stunning body of water with a rich history dating back to 1938 when it was completed as a gravity dam designed by WPA-C. Located in the city of DUNVILLA within Otter Tail County, this state-regulated lake boasts a surface area of 3962 acres and a drainage area of 242 square miles, making it a vital water resource in the region. The dam stands at a height of 6 feet and has a maximum storage capacity of 70,250 acre-feet, providing essential water management for the area.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Pelican Lake remains a valuable asset for the community. Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water storage, ensuring the safety and sustainability of the surrounding environment. Additionally, the lake serves various purposes beyond just water management, highlighting its versatility and importance for both recreational and ecological needs. As a gravity dam with a hydraulic height of 3.5 feet, Pelican Lake stands as a testament to effective infrastructure design and management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo River Near Hawley | 48 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 353 cfs | → |
| South Branch Buffalo River At Sabin | 80 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls | 525 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Dilworth | 143 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Hickson | 782 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pelican Lake.
Boat launches
- County Road 31 51047, Otter Tail County
- Crystal Lake Public Water Access
- County Highway 22 20820, Lake Eunice
- Becker County
- West Lake Drive 1360, Detroit Lakes
- West Lake Drive Detroit Lakes
Campgrounds
- Sherin Memorial City Campground
- Sherin Memorial Park/Campground
- Maplewood State Park Campground
- Maplewood State Park
- American Legion Park - Detroit Lakes
- Rothsay City Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
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.