Lake Carlos dam
Lake Carlos
Lake Carlos, located in Carlos, Minnesota, is a picturesque reservoir on the Long Prairie River that offers a range of recreational activities for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, this state-owned lake was completed in 1993 and has a primary purpose of recreation. With a surface area of 183 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 156,000 acre-feet, Lake Carlos provides ample space for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities.
The dam at Lake Carlos stands at a height of 3 feet with a structural height of 7.2 feet, serving as a vital structure for water management in the region. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition is assessed as satisfactory, ensuring the safety and stability of the reservoir. The area surrounding Lake Carlos, with its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife, attracts visitors looking to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy a peaceful retreat. Whether it's hiking along the shores or birdwatching in the surrounding Douglas County, Lake Carlos offers a serene escape for those seeking to connect with the natural world.
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 Carlos -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 170 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 353 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls | 525 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Royalton | 4,310 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 349 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 1,060 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Carlos.
Boat launches
- County Road 38 Northeast 2802, Douglas County
- East Lake Carlos Drive Northeast 6670, Douglas County
- County Road 11 Northeast 7423, Alexandria
- County Road 120 Northeast 1542, Douglas County
- Chain Of Lakes Walking Path Alexandria
- Lake Ida East Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Lake Carlos State Park Campground
- Lake Carlos Sate Park - Horse Camp
- Luther Crest Bible Camp
- Shady Oaks Campground
- Lake Adley Park
- Two Mile Trailer Park And Cg
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Lake Carlos 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 Carlos
Where does the data for Lake Carlos 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 Carlos.