Wilson Lake dam
Wilson Lake
Wilson Lake, located in Schroeder, Minnesota, is a privately owned reservoir with a primary purpose of recreation. The rockfill dam, completed in 1961, stands at a height of 15 feet and has a storage capacity of 9990 acre-feet. The lake covers an area of 650 acres and is fed by Wilson Creek, providing a serene setting for water and climate enthusiasts to explore and enjoy.
Despite its low hazard potential, Wilson Lake's dam is in poor condition, with the last inspection in 2019 revealing maintenance issues. The state of Minnesota regulates the dam, conducting inspections and enforcement as needed to ensure safety. While the lake's recreational value remains high, ongoing assessments and potential risk management measures may be necessary to address the dam's structural concerns and maintain the integrity of this beloved water resource.
As a popular spot for outdoor activities and relaxation, Wilson Lake offers a vital recreational escape for visitors seeking to connect with nature. Its picturesque setting along Wilson Creek, combined with its significant storage capacity and drainage area, make it a valuable asset in Minnesota's water resource network. While the dam's condition assessment indicates room for improvement, the lake's continued regulation and oversight aim to preserve its charm and safety for generations to come.
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 Wilson Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 649 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 992 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi R Abv White Iron Lake Nr Ely | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Basswood River Near Winton | 4,910 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilson Lake.
Boat launches
- Hogback Lupus Trail Loop Lake County
- Cook County
- The Grade Cook County
- Lake County
- Windy Lake Boat Landing Lake County
- Baraga Cross Road Schroeder
Campgrounds
- Wilson Lake Rustic Campground & Backcountry Sites
- Harriet Lake Rustic Campground
- Harriet Lake
- Whitefish Lake Rustic Campgd & Timber-Frear Area
- Whitefish Lake
- Hogback Lake Rustic Campground & Backcountry Sites
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Confluence With Plouff Creek To Lake Superior In T59n, R4w
- Bwcaw Boundary To Confluence With Plouff Creek
- North Temperance Lake In T63n, R4w To Bwcaw Boundary In T62n, R4w
- Horshoe Lake In T64n, R1w To Bwcaw Boundary
- Bwcaw Boundary To Forest Boundary In T62n, R2e
- Forest Boundary To Lake Superior In T62n, R3e
Track Wilson 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 Wilson Lake
Where does the data for Wilson 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 Wilson Lake.