Elk Lake dam
Elk Lake
Elk Lake in Sherburne County, Minnesota, is a state-regulated fish and wildlife pond with a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment. Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, this picturesque lake covers 353 acres and has a maximum storage capacity of 3,600 acre-feet. The dam, of buttress core type, stands at a height of 4.5 feet with a hydraulic height of 2 feet, providing essential habitat for a variety of wildlife in the region.
Situated along Battle Brook in Big Lake, Elk Lake serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, with a drainage area of 42 square miles. Despite its relatively modest size, the lake plays a crucial role in supporting the local ecosystem and providing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure and regular inspections, Elk Lake ensures the safety and sustainability of its operations while contributing to the conservation efforts of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
As a designated fish and wildlife pond, Elk Lake embodies the harmonious coexistence of human activities and nature conservation. Its strategic location and purposeful design not only enhance the beauty of the landscape but also serve as a model for sustainable water resource management in the face of climate challenges. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Elk Lake stands as a shining example of responsible stewardship and environmental protection in the heart of Minnesota's Sherburne County.
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 Lake -- 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 | → |
| Mississippi River At St. Cloud | 3,660 cfs | → |
| Crow River At Rockford | 1,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elk Lake.
Boat launches
- 159th Street Northwest 22401, Sherburne County
- East Twin Lakes City Park
- Mn 101 Elk River
- Pickerel Lake Launch
- Rum River North County Park
- Us 10 Sherburne County
Campgrounds
- Ann Lake - Sand Dunes State Forest
- Ann Lake Campground
- Sand Dunes State Forest-- Bob Dunn Horse Camp
- Riverside City Park - Princeton
- Riverside City Park Campground
- Canoe-In Campsite
Track Elk 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 Elk Lake
Where does the data for Elk 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 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 Elk Lake.