Mcdougal Lake dam
Mcdougal Lake
McDougal Lake, located in Winton, Minnesota, is a state-regulated dam on the Stony River with a primary purpose categorized as "Other." Built in 1942, this gravity dam stands at 8 feet tall with a structural height of 10 feet and a length of 96 feet. It has a normal storage capacity of 3850 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 4430 acre-feet, serving a drainage area of 71.1 square miles.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment as of its last inspection in 2013, McDougal Lake Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. The dam's design, by WPA-C, incorporates buttress core types and stands as a testament to the engineering prowess of the time. The dam's location within the Detroit District and its association with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources underscore its significance in the state's water infrastructure.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find McDougal Lake Dam a fascinating subject of study, especially considering its historical significance and its role in managing water flow in the region. With its state-regulated status, low hazard potential, and fair condition assessment, this gravity dam stands as a testament to the careful planning and engineering that went into its construction in 1942. Its association with the Stony River and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources adds to its importance in the state's water management efforts.
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 Mcdougal Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 992 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi R Abv White Iron Lake Nr Ely | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 649 cfs | → |
| Basswood River Near Winton | 4,910 cfs | → |
| Knife River Near Two Harbors | 86 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mcdougal Lake.
Boat launches
- Forest Rt 106 Lake County
- Lake County
- Highway 1 Lake County
- Eighteen Lake Trail Lake County
- Wanless Road Lake County
- Fr 183 Lake County
Campgrounds
- Mcdougal Lake
- Mcdougal Lake Campground
- Dragon Lake
- Sand Lake Rustic Campground
- Little Isabella River Campground
- Little Isabella River
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With Plouff Creek To Lake Superior In T59n, R4w
- Bwcaw Boundary To Confluence With Plouff Creek
- North Temperance Lake In T63n, R4w To Bwcaw Boundary In T62n, R4w
- Wolf Bay Of Lake Vermilion To Section 26, T65n, R17w
More reservoirs
Track Mcdougal 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 Mcdougal Lake
Where does the data for Mcdougal 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 Mcdougal Lake.