Fletcher Creek dam
Fletcher Creek
Fletcher Creek, located in Bigfork, Minnesota, is a federal-owned structure completed in 1973 with a primary purpose designated as "Other". This structure, which spans 250 meters in length and stands at 8 meters in height, serves as a key component in managing the water resources of the area. With a normal storage capacity of 250 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 500 acre-feet, Fletcher Creek plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of water in the region.
Despite being classified as low hazard potential, Fletcher Creek has not been rated for its condition assessment. The dam, constructed with an earth and buttress core type, provides vital support to the surrounding ecosystem by controlling the drainage area of 5 square miles and allowing for a maximum discharge of 50 cubic feet per second. Despite its importance in water resource management, Fletcher Creek has not been subject to state jurisdiction, regulation, permitting, or inspection, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and assessment to ensure its functionality and safety in the face of potential climate challenges.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, it is essential to recognize the significance of structures like Fletcher Creek in mitigating risks and adapting to new conditions. The location, design, and purpose of Fletcher Creek make it a valuable asset in maintaining the balance of water resources in the region, emphasizing the importance of ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure its effectiveness in the face of evolving climate patterns. Enthusiasts and stakeholders invested in water resource management and climate adaptation can look to Fletcher Creek as a case study in the intersection of infrastructure, natural resources, and climate resilience.
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 Fletcher Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Fork River At Big Falls | 568 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 159 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 457 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Bemidji | 234 cfs | → |
| Little Fork River At Littlefork | 1,140 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fletcher Creek.
Boat launches
- Holland Lake
- Big Fork River, Harrison
- Trestle Lake
- Arrowhead Lake
- Clear Lake
- Whitefish Lake State Water Access Site
Campgrounds
- Noma Lake Campground
- Rising Eagle Resort
- T And N Inn Lodging And Campground
- Scenic State Park
- Cut Foot Horse Camp
- Middle Pigeon Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Dora Lake To State Highway 6
- Lake Winnigigoshish To Blackwater Lake
- Cass Lake To Lake Winnibigoshish
- The Confluence Of The Prairie River To The Boundary Of Logan And Workman Townships
- The Otter Tail Powerplant To Allen's Bay
- The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7 To Lake Bemidji
Track Fletcher Creek 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 Fletcher Creek
Where does the data for Fletcher Creek 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 Fletcher Creek.