Lake Aaron dam
Lake Aaron
Lake Aaron, located in Douglas County, Minnesota, is a state-regulated reservoir with a primary purpose classified as "Other." The dam, completed in 1964, is a gravity type structure with a height of 8 feet and a length of 10 feet. The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 178,500 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 190,000 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 611 acres. The drainage area for Lake Aaron is 6.5 square miles, with a maximum discharge capacity of 95 cubic feet per second.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Lake Aaron poses a low hazard potential and has been assessed as satisfactory in condition. The last inspection conducted in June 2016 deemed the dam structurally sound. The reservoir serves as an important water resource for the surrounding area, with state-regulated permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and longevity. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will be intrigued by the unique design and purpose of Lake Aaron, as well as its role in managing water flow on the Chippewa River.
With its picturesque location in Millerville, Minnesota, Lake Aaron offers a serene setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. The reservoir's association with the Chippewa River adds to its ecological significance, providing a habitat for diverse flora and fauna. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding and monitoring the management of reservoirs like Lake Aaron becomes increasingly important for conservation efforts and sustainable water management practices in the region.
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 Lake Aaron -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 338 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls | 529 cfs | → |
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 163 cfs | → |
| Bois De Sioux River Near Doran | 143 cfs | → |
| Bois De Sioux River Near White Rock | 91 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Wahpeton | 722 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Aaron.
Boat launches
- Douglas County
- East Sandy Beach Drive Northeast 96, Douglas County
- Lake Ida East Boat Ramp
- Sunset Strip Northwest 7415, Douglas County
- County Road 11 Northeast 7423, Alexandria
- North Lake Miltona Drive Northeast 2540, Douglas County
Campgrounds
- Chippewa Co Park
- Chippewa County Park Campground
- Prairie Cove Campground
- Inspiration Point At Twin Oaks
- Luther Crest Bible Camp
- Lake Carlos Sate Park - Horse Camp
Fishing spots
Track Lake Aaron 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 Lake Aaron
Where does the data for Lake Aaron 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 Lake Aaron.