Waukenabo Lake dam
Waukenabo Lake
Waukenabo Lake, located in Aitkin, Minnesota, is a picturesque reservoir that offers a variety of recreational activities for water resource and climate enthusiasts. Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, this gravity dam was completed in 1938 and serves primarily for recreation purposes. With a structural height of 11 feet and a hydraulic height of 2.1 feet, the dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 7,000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 650 acres.
The dam's controlled spillway, with a width of 18 feet, ensures water levels are properly managed, with a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment. Despite being last inspected in October 2016, this dam on the Little Willow River-TR remains in good standing with the state regulatory agency, MNDNR EWR. The lake's drainage area of 12.1 square miles supports a normal storage capacity of 2,400 acre-feet, offering a safe and scenic environment for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
As the dam continues to provide essential water resource management for the region, its very high risk assessment (ranking 1 out of 5) underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance. With its stunning natural surroundings and recreational opportunities, Waukenabo Lake stands as a vital and well-managed resource in Minnesota's water infrastructure. For those passionate about preserving water resources and climate sustainability, this reservoir is a prime example of responsible stewardship and recreational enjoyment in harmony with nature.
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 Waukenabo Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 2,040 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 446 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 2,350 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 1,180 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 174 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Waukenabo Lake.
Boat launches
- Public Access Road Aitkin County
- 561st Lane Aitkin County
- State Highway 47 Glen
- State Highway 65 Aitkin County
- 362nd Place Aitkin County
- Mill Road Emily
Campgrounds
- Aitkin County Campground
- Sandy Lake-Coe
- Land O'Lakes Sf - Baker And White Oak Lake
- Hill Lake City Park
- Land O'Lakes Sf - Clint Converse
- Clint Converse - Land Olakes State Forest
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The Boundary Between Logan And Workman Townships In Aitkin County To The Dam Entrance Of The Flood Diversion Channel
- The Discharge Of The Flood Diversion Channel To Riverton
- The Confluence Of The Prairie River To The Boundary Of Logan And Workman Townships
- Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam
- The 25-Acre Island Just South Of Brainerd To Roscoe Island
- Lake Winnigigoshish To Blackwater Lake
Track Waukenabo 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 Waukenabo Lake
Where does the data for Waukenabo 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 Waukenabo Lake.