Elk River dam
Elk River
Elk River, located in Sherburne County, Minnesota, is a gravity dam constructed in 1916 for recreational purposes along the Elk River. Managed by the local government of Elk River, this dam has a height of 23 feet and a hydraulic height of 15.3 feet, with a normal storage capacity of 1600 acre-feet. With a surface area of 300 acres and a drainage area of 640 square miles, Elk River dam plays a crucial role in flood control and water resource management in the region.
The dam, designed by CH2M HILL, is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam's condition has been deemed satisfactory during the last assessment in 2017. Additionally, Elk River dam has a very high risk assessment rating, highlighting the importance of effective risk management measures to mitigate any potential threats to the surrounding communities and infrastructure.
With its historical significance and vital role in water management and recreation, Elk River dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource practices in the face of changing climate conditions. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, monitoring and supporting the maintenance and regulation of dams like Elk River is essential in ensuring the safety and resilience of our communities in the face of environmental challenges.
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 Elk River -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Elk River Near Big Lake | 207 cfs | → |
| Rum River Near St. Francis | 283 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Anoka | 5,470 cfs | → |
| Elm Creek Nr Champlin | 13 cfs | → |
| Crow River At Rockford | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Anoka | 6,230 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elk River.
Boat launches
- Mn 101 Elk River
- East Twin Lakes City Park
- 159th Street Northwest 22401, Sherburne County
- Pickerel Lake Launch
- Mississippi West Regional Park
- Barium Street Andover
Campgrounds
- Ann Lake Campground
- Ann Lake - Sand Dunes State Forest
- Sand Dunes State Forest-- Bob Dunn Horse Camp
- Joyner Airport
- Canoe-In Campsite
- Bunker Hills Campground
Track Elk River 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 Elk River
Where does the data for Elk River 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 High 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 Elk River.