Eagle Lake dam
Eagle Lake
Eagle Lake, located in Cottonwood County, Minnesota, is a gravity dam completed in 1948 with a primary purpose listed as "Other." This structure, managed by the local government, stands at a height of 11 feet and has a normal storage capacity of 6,148 acre-feet. With a surface area of 105 acres and a drainage area of 0.83 square miles, Eagle Lake plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
The dam on Eagle Lake is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and is subject to state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition, the risk assessment for this structure is moderate. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and it has not been modified in recent years. Although the last inspection took place in 2012, with a frequency of every 8 years, Eagle Lake continues to serve its purpose effectively and contributes to the overall water management strategy in the area.
With its proximity to the Watonwan River, Eagle Lake is a vital component of the local ecosystem and plays a key role in flood control and water storage. The dam's location in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, highlights its importance in the region's water infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact water resources, Eagle Lake remains a crucial asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts to monitor and study for sustainable water management practices in the future.
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 Eagle Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River At Jackson | 522 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood River Near New Ulm | 495 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At New Ulm | 2,730 cfs | → |
| Little Cottonwood River Near Courtland | 103 cfs | → |
| Redwood River Near Redwood Falls | 194 cfs | → |
| Watonwan River Near Garden City | 1,380 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Eagle Lake.
Boat launches
- Mountain Lake Cycle Path Mountain Lake
- 240th Avenue Brown County
- County Road 6 Watonwan County
- 1 Sleepy Eye
Track Eagle 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 Eagle Lake
Where does the data for Eagle 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 Eagle Lake.