Dead Lake West dam
Dead Lake West
Dead Lake West, located in Otter Tail, Minnesota, is a gravity dam constructed in 1938 with a primary purpose marked as 'Other'. This structure, with a height of 6.9 feet and a hydraulic height of 1.6 feet, serves as a key component in managing water resources in the area. With a normal storage capacity of 77,080 acre-feet and a drainage area of 126 square miles, Dead Lake West plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the Dead River.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Dead Lake West is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam, with a storage capacity of 100,204 acre-feet, covers a surface area of 7,534 acres. As an essential part of the water infrastructure, the dam contributes to flood control, water supply, and recreational activities in the region. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find Dead Lake West to be a fascinating example of sustainable water management practices in Minnesota.
With Collin Peterson representing the area in Congress, the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers oversees Dead Lake West. The dam has not been rated for its condition yet, and there are no emergency action plans currently in place. As a historical structure designed by WPA-C, Dead Lake West stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns. Enthusiasts interested in the intersection of water resources, climate change, and infrastructure will find Dead Lake West to be a compelling case study in sustainable water management.
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 Dead Lake West -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 341 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls | 525 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Hawley | 47 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Wahpeton | 729 cfs | → |
| Straight River Near Park Rapids | 46 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 343 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dead Lake West.
Boat launches
- Maine
- Amor
- State Highway 108 33866, Dent
- Marion Lake Boat Ramp
- Seclusion Point Road 41451, Otter Tail County
Campgrounds
- Maplewood State Park
- Maplewood State Park Campground
- Glendalough State Park Cart-In Campgrounds
- Glendalough State Park Canoe Campsite
- Glendalough State Park Campground
- Glendalough State Park
Fishing spots
Track Dead Lake West 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 Dead Lake West
Where does the data for Dead Lake West 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 Dead Lake West.