Island Lake dam
Island Lake
Island Lake, located in Cloquet, Minnesota, is a significant hydroelectric and recreational resource along the Cloquet River. Constructed in 1915, the dam stands at a height of 57 feet and has a hydraulic height of 36 feet, with a storage capacity of 177,000 acre-feet. The dam's primary purpose is hydroelectric power generation, but it also serves as a recreational area, offering opportunities for outdoor activities in its vast surface area of 10,800 acres.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Island Lake Dam has a controlled spillway with a width of 40 feet and a high hazard potential, necessitating regular inspections to ensure its safety. The dam's structure, consisting of concrete, earth, and gravity elements, spans 880 feet and has a maximum discharge capacity of 7,445 cubic feet per second. With its close proximity to the city and its critical role in water resource management, Island Lake Dam remains a vital asset for the region, providing both energy production and recreational enjoyment for visitors.
Despite its age, Island Lake Dam continues to be a key player in the region's water resource infrastructure, with its high risk potential requiring ongoing risk management measures. The dam's association with the Cloquet River and its significant storage capacity make it a crucial component of the local ecosystem and water management system. As a focal point for both hydroelectric power generation and recreational activities, Island Lake Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in the face of evolving 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 Island Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Knife River Near Two Harbors | 121 cfs | → |
| St. Louis River At Scanlon | 2,770 cfs | → |
| Nemadji River Near South Superior | 508 cfs | → |
| Bois Brule River At Brule | 167 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Island Lake .
Boat launches
- Boulder Dam Road Saint Louis County
- Rice Lake Public Boat Access
- Midway Road Saint Louis County
- Congdon Boulevard Lakewood
- Rices Point Landing
- Saint Louis River -- Arrowhead Fishing Pier Access
Campgrounds
- White Pines Camp Stie
- Bald Eagle Camp Site
- Lone Tree
- Heron Pond
- Sucker River Campsite
- Fox Farm Beaver Pound Campsite
Track Island 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 Island Lake
Where does the data for Island 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 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 Island Lake .