Lake Riley dam
Lake Riley
Lake Riley, located in Hennepin County, Minnesota, is a gravity dam constructed in 1958 with a primary purpose listed as "Other." This picturesque reservoir on Riley Creek has a normal storage capacity of 3000 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 3900 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 296 acres. The dam stands at a height of 9 feet and has a length of 20 feet, with a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment as of the last inspection in December 2015.
With a drainage area of 8.3 square miles, Lake Riley plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region, with a maximum discharge capacity of 350 cubic feet per second. Although not state-regulated, this state-owned structure provides recreational opportunities in the city of Eden Prairie. The dam's Buttress core type and unlisted/unknown foundations contribute to its structural integrity, ensuring the safety of the surrounding community and enhancing the natural beauty of the area.
Lake Riley, managed by the state of Minnesota, is a key feature in the local landscape, offering a peaceful retreat for residents and visitors alike. The dam's strategic location on Riley Creek and its vital role in flood control and water storage make it a significant asset in the region's water resource infrastructure. With its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition, Lake Riley stands as a testament to effective dam management and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Riley -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota River Near Jordan | 10,800 cfs | → |
| Minnesota River At Fort Snelling State Park | 6,620 cfs | → |
| Shingle Creek At Queen Ave In Minneapolis | 23 cfs | → |
| Crow River At Rockford | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At St. Paul | 15,800 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Anoka | 7,350 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Riley.
Boat launches
- Shoreline Drive Eden Prairie
- Cr 101 Shakopee
- Chanhassen
- Blakeney Road Eden Prairie
- Valley View Road Eden Prairie
- Staring Lake Parkway Eden Prairie
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Lake Riley 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 Riley
Where does the data for Lake Riley 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 Riley.