Albert Lake dam
Albert Lake
Albert Lake, located in Mora, Minnesota, is a private earth dam constructed in 1970 by the USDA NRCS for purposes beyond flood control. This dam, standing at a height of 20 feet and stretching 904 feet in length, serves as a critical structure along the Snake River, with a storage capacity of 150 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 46 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 41 acres and has a drainage area of 0.7 square miles, making it an essential water resource in Kanabec County.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Albert Lake boasts a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, with a moderate risk rating. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates contribute to its unique design, providing efficient water management solutions. While having undergone its last inspection in October 2016, the dam continues to be regulated, inspected, and enforced by state agencies, ensuring its structural integrity and safety. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Albert Lake a captivating example of sustainable dam infrastructure in the heart of Minnesota.
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 Albert Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Snake River Near Pine City | 558 cfs | → |
| Kettle River Below Sandstone | 471 cfs | → |
| Rum River Near St. Francis | 586 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Big Lake | 246 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls | 3,870 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 2,450 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Albert Lake.
Boat launches
- Pomroy Beach Drive 2918, Kanabec County
- 1st Avenue Northeast 34, Pine City
- Mille Lacs County
- Pine County
Campgrounds
- Snake River County Park
- Snake River City Campground
- Father Hennepin State Park
- Father Hennepin State Park Campgrounds
- Maple Grove Campground
- St Croix Nsr - Mile 82.7
Paddle runs
- The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam To The Confluence With St. Croix River
- Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam
- The Beaver Islands At St. Cloud To The Confluence Of The Clearwater River
- The Confluence Of The Clearwater River To The Northwestern Corporate Boundary Of Anoka
- The Discharge Of The Flood Diversion Channel To Riverton
- Blanchard Dam To Ends One Mile Downstream From The Southern Village Boundary Of Rice
More reservoirs
Track Albert 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 Albert Lake
Where does the data for Albert 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 Albert Lake.