Lake Elysian dam
Lake Elysian
Lake Elysian, located in Waseca, Minnesota, is a state-regulated reservoir with a fascinating history dating back to its completion in 1946 by the Works Progress Administration of the Civil Works Administration. This gravity dam, standing at 7.5 feet tall with a structural height of 8 feet, serves various purposes with a primary focus on water resource management. The reservoir boasts a storage capacity of 19,020 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2,273 acres, making it a vital water source for the region.
With a drainage area of 45.5 square miles and a maximum discharge of 1,735 cubic feet per second, Lake Elysian plays a crucial role in flood control and water supply for the surrounding areas. Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to ensure its safety and functionality. As a hub for water enthusiasts and climate activists, Lake Elysian stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management and environmental conservation efforts in the state of Minnesota.
As climate change continues to impact water resources globally, Lake Elysian serves as a model for effective dam management and regulation, showcasing the importance of state jurisdiction and permitting in safeguarding our natural ecosystems. From its historical origins to its modern-day significance in water management, Lake Elysian stands as a resilient symbol of collaboration between government agencies, designers, and local communities in ensuring the sustainability of our precious water resources.
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 Lake Elysian -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota River At Mankato | 11,300 cfs | → |
| Le Sueur River Near Rapidan | 3,650 cfs | → |
| Blue Earth River Near Rapidan | 3,920 cfs | → |
| Watonwan River Near Garden City | 1,380 cfs | → |
| Straight River Near Faribault | 286 cfs | → |
| High Island Creek Near Henderson | 72 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Elysian.
Boat launches
- Roots Beach Road 8, Elysian
- 622nd Lane 22399, Blue Earth County
- Park Road Madison Lake
- 232nd Lane Madison Lake
- T-324 23201, Madison Lake
- Beaver Dam Road 46328, Le Sueur County
Track Lake Elysian 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 Lake Elysian
Where does the data for Lake Elysian 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 Lake Elysian.