Moose-Willow 1 dam
Moose-Willow 1
Moose-Willow 1, located in Aitkin, Minnesota, is a state-regulated fish and wildlife pond built in 1960 with a primary purpose of supporting fish and wildlife habitats. This Earth dam, with a height of 12 feet and a length of 500 feet, has a maximum storage capacity of 750 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 450 acre-feet. The dam also serves as a controlled spillway with a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR EWR), Moose-Willow 1 plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance in the area. With a drainage area of 6.8 square miles and a surface area of 100 acres, this dam provides essential water resources for the surrounding environment, ensuring the conservation of the Moose River ecosystem. Despite its very high risk assessment rating, the dam has undergone regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its structural integrity and operational efficiency.
As a key component in the water resource management infrastructure of Minnesota, Moose-Willow 1 stands as a testament to the state's commitment to preserving its natural habitats and supporting biodiversity. With its strategic location and functional design, this dam exemplifies the balance between human development and environmental stewardship, making it a valuable asset for both wildlife enthusiasts and climate advocates alike.
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 Moose-Willow 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 550 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 2,450 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 231 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 2,810 cfs | → |
| St. Louis River At Scanlon | 3,410 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Moose-Willow 1.
Boat launches
- Washburn Lake Forest Road Aitkin County
- 670th Street Aitkin County
- Split Hand Lake
- 206th Place Aitkin County
- 561st Lane Aitkin County
- Cowhorn Lake
Campgrounds
- Hill Lake City Park
- Jacobson County Campground
- Jacobson Campground
- Sandy Lake-Coe
- Hay Lake Campground
- Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 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 Discharge Of The Flood Diversion Channel To Riverton
- Lake Winnigigoshish To Blackwater Lake
- 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
Track Moose-Willow 1 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 Moose-Willow 1
Where does the data for Moose-Willow 1 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 Moose-Willow 1.