International Falls dam
International Falls
International Falls, located in Baudette, MN, is a hydroelectric dam on the Rainy River in Minnesota. Completed in 1909, this gravity dam stands at a height of 29 feet and has a length of 505 feet, with a storage capacity of 77,274 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, recreation, and water supply, while being regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the International Falls dam is inspected by the FERC every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam's uncontrolled spillway has a width of 170 feet, allowing for a maximum discharge of 7,650 cubic feet per second. Despite being a private-owned structure, the dam is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
As a key feature in the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the International Falls dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and climate impacts in the region. Its strategic location and multi-purpose design make it a vital asset for the local community and a critical component in the overall water management system 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 International Falls -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Portage Outlet From Kabetogama Lk Nr Ray | 645 cfs | → |
| Little Fork River At Littlefork | 719 cfs | → |
| Big Fork River At Big Falls | 408 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Nr Crane Lake | 756 cfs | → |
| Rapid River Near Baudette | 348 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near International Falls .
Boat launches
- Pat Roche Drive International Falls
- Shorewood Drive International Falls
- Ranier Public Access
- Bohman Landing Rainy Lake
- Town Road 269 2560, Koochiching County
- Mn 11 Koochiching County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Track International Falls 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 International Falls
Where does the data for International Falls 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 International Falls .