Big Falls Wildlife dam
Big Falls Wildlife
Located in Koochiching County, Minnesota, Big Falls Wildlife is a Fish and Wildlife Pond structure designed by USDA NRCS in 1981. This earth dam stands at a height of 10 feet and spans 1350 feet, with a storage capacity of 800 acre-feet. The dam serves as a habitat for various wildlife species and helps regulate water flow in the Sturgeon River.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk rating, Big Falls Wildlife has not been formally assessed for its condition. The structure features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 500 feet and outlet gates that are also uncontrolled. The dam's primary purpose is to support fish and wildlife conservation efforts, with a surface area of 51 acres and a drainage area of 2.5 square miles.
Although Big Falls Wildlife is not regulated or inspected by state authorities, it continues to play a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem and water resources in the area. Climate and water resource enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of this structure in supporting biodiversity and preserving the natural habitat along the Sturgeon River.
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 Big Falls Wildlife -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Fork River At Big Falls | 550 cfs | → |
| Little Fork River At Littlefork | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Rapid River Near Baudette | 309 cfs | → |
| Gold Portage Outlet From Kabetogama Lk Nr Ray | 527 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Falls Wildlife.
Boat launches
- Mn 11 Koochiching County
- Busties Lake
- Moose Lake
- Big Fork River, Harrison
- Clear Lake
- Township Road 9 Waskish
Campgrounds
- Sturgeon River State Forest Landing
- Big Falls City
- Pine Island Sf - Benn Lynn Landing
- Keuffner's Landing
- Lofgren Memorial Park
- Lofgren Memorial Park Campground
Fishing spots
- Bartlett Lake
- Bearpawguides On Upper Red Lake
- Battle Lake
- Bass (South Island) Lake
- Ackerman Lakes
- Woody's Fairly Reliable Guide Service
Paddle runs
Track Big Falls Wildlife 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 Big Falls Wildlife
Where does the data for Big Falls Wildlife 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 Big Falls Wildlife.