Koochiching Wetland dam
Koochiching Wetland
Koochiching Wetland in Bigfork, Minnesota, is a privately owned fish and wildlife pond that serves as a vital resource for the local ecosystem. Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR EWR), this wetland covers an area of 60 acres and has a storage capacity of 400 acre-feet. Located near Moose Brook-TR, the wetland plays a crucial role in supporting the region's biodiversity and wildlife population.
With a low hazard potential and no associated structures, Koochiching Wetland has been deemed to be in good condition, though it has not been formally rated. The last inspection of the site was conducted in April 2012, with a frequency of every 8 years. While the wetland currently meets regulatory guidelines, there is no detailed emergency action plan (EAP) in place, raising potential concerns for future management and risk assessment. Overall, Koochiching Wetland stands as a testament to the importance of preserving and protecting water resources in the face of climate change and increasing environmental pressures.
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 Koochiching Wetland -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Fork River At Big Falls | 697 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Bemidji | 281 cfs | → |
| Little Fork River At Littlefork | 1,380 cfs | → |
| Rapid River Near Baudette | 356 cfs | → |
| Red Lake River Near Red Lake | 210 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 254 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Koochiching Wetland.
⚓ Boat launches
More boat launches →⛺ Campgrounds
- Paul Bunyan Memorial Park
- Noma Lake Campground
- T And N Inn Lodging And Campground
- Middle Pigeon Lake Campground
- Pine Tree City Park Campground
- Cut Foot Horse Camp
🎣 Fishing spots
- Bartlett Lake
- Alice Lake
- Bass (South Island) Lake
- Ackerman Lakes
- Amik Lake
- Bearpawguides On Upper Red Lake
Track Koochiching Wetland 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 Koochiching Wetland
Where does the data for Koochiching Wetland 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 Koochiching Wetland.