Washburn Lake dam
Washburn Lake
Washburn Lake, located in Cass County, Minnesota, is a state-regulated reservoir with a primary purpose of 'Other'. This gravity dam, completed in 1936, stands at a height of 7 feet and has a storage capacity of 72,776 acre-feet. With a surface area of 1554 acres and a drainage area of 43.3 square miles, Washburn Lake is a crucial component of the local water resource system.
The dam's condition is assessed as 'Fair' with a 'Low' hazard potential. Despite its age, Washburn Lake's risk assessment is considered moderate, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and management. The reservoir's spillway type is 'Uncontrolled' with a spillway width of 0 feet. With the dam inspected every 8 years, Washburn Lake serves as a vital water source for the area while also posing a manageable level of risk to the surrounding environment.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Washburn Lake to be an intriguing case study in dam infrastructure. Its historical significance, moderate risk assessment, and state regulation make it a fascinating subject for those interested in the intersection of water management, climate resilience, and environmental conservation. With its location in the St. Paul District and involvement in the local ecosystem, Washburn Lake presents a unique opportunity to explore the challenges and opportunities of managing water resources in a changing climate.
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 Washburn Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 550 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 2,480 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 333 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 187 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Washburn Lake.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Washburn Lake - Land Olakes State Forest
- Clint Converse - Land Olakes State Forest
- Land O'Lakes Sf - Clint Converse
- Land O'Lakes Sf - Baker And White Oak Lake
- Mabel Lake
- Mabel Lake -Usfs
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The Discharge Of The Flood Diversion Channel To Riverton
- The Boundary Between Logan And Workman Townships In Aitkin County To The Dam Entrance Of The Flood Diversion Channel
- The Confluence Of The Prairie River To The Boundary Of Logan And Workman Townships
- The 25-Acre Island Just South Of Brainerd To Roscoe Island
- Lake Winnigigoshish To Blackwater Lake
- Cass Lake To Lake Winnibigoshish
More reservoirs
Track Washburn Lake 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 Washburn Lake
Where does the data for Washburn Lake 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 Washburn Lake.