Rose Lake dam
Rose Lake
Rose Lake, located in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, is a picturesque reservoir with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA-C), this dam features a buttress core type and stands at a height of 12 feet, with a length of 40 feet. The lake has a maximum storage capacity of 10,000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 1,177 acres, making it a popular destination for water enthusiasts.
With a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment, Rose Lake provides a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors. The dam is regulated by the state of Minnesota and is situated along the Otter Tail River, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities. Despite being last inspected in 1991, the risk assessment for Rose Lake is very high, indicating the importance of ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure the safety of the structure and surrounding area.
Overall, Rose Lake is a valuable water resource in Minnesota, offering both recreational opportunities and essential water storage capacity. Its historical significance and natural beauty make it a must-visit destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to experience the intersection of human engineering 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 Rose Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 358 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Hawley | 52 cfs | → |
| Straight River Near Park Rapids | 44 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls | 520 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 354 cfs | → |
| South Branch Buffalo River At Sabin | 88 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rose Lake.
Boat launches
- Otter Tail County
- Rice Lake Road 48817, Otter Tail County
- Frazee
- 513th Street Otter Tail County
- Valley View Road 31379, Becker County
Campgrounds
- American Legion Park - Detroit Lakes
- Maplewood State Park
- Maplewood State Park Campground
- Sherin Memorial City Campground
- Sherin Memorial Park/Campground
- Waterfront Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Rose 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 Rose Lake
Where does the data for Rose 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 Rose Lake.