Dry Sand Lake Wma dam
Dry Sand Lake Wma
Dry Sand Lake WMA in Cass, Minnesota is a state-regulated area that serves as a fish and wildlife pond, with Farnham Creek and JD 7 flowing nearby. The dam, completed in 1964, is primarily used for flood control and habitat preservation, with a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of July 2015. The WMA covers a drainage area of 3.6 square miles and has a normal storage capacity of 750 acre-feet, providing essential water resources for the local ecosystem.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Dry Sand Lake WMA is located in Motley and covers a surface area that supports a variety of wildlife species. With a maximum discharge of 375 cfs, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and maintaining the environmental balance in the region. The WMA is a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation and wildlife observation.
Visitors to Dry Sand Lake WMA can explore the diverse habitats surrounding the dam, including wetlands, forests, and grasslands that support a wide range of plant and animal species. The area's conservation efforts, combined with its recreational opportunities, make it a valuable resource for both wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts interested in the intersection of water resources and climate conservation.
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 Dry Sand Lake Wma -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 289 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 968 cfs | → |
| Straight River Near Park Rapids | 44 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 1,700 cfs | → |
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 141 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 1,440 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dry Sand Lake Wma.
Boat launches
- Cass County
- South Pillager Lake Drive Southwest Cass County
- County 109 Hubbard County
- Pillager Dam Road Cass County
- East Gull Lake
- 1st Street Southwest Menahga
Campgrounds
- Knob Hill
- Knob Hill Campground
- Cottingham Park Campground
- Cottingham County Park Campground
- Little White Dog Campground
- Bullard Bluff Campsite
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The 25-Acre Island Just South Of Brainerd To Roscoe Island
- The Discharge Of The Flood Diversion Channel To Riverton
- Blanchard Dam To Ends One Mile Downstream From The Southern Village Boundary Of Rice
- The Outlet Of Lake Itasca To The Iron Bridge Of County Road 7
Track Dry Sand Lake Wma 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 Dry Sand Lake Wma
Where does the data for Dry Sand Lake Wma 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 Dry Sand Lake Wma.