Winton Dyke No. 2 dam
Winton Dyke No. 2
Winton Dyke No. 2, located in Winton, Minnesota, is a hydroelectric dam on the Kawishiwi River that was completed in 1923. With a height of 7 feet and a length of 250 feet, this Earth-type dam serves multiple purposes including hydroelectric power generation and recreation. The dam has a storage capacity of 17,564 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2,983 acres, making it a significant water resource in the region.
Managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Winton Dyke No. 2 is regulated by the state of Minnesota and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and energy production in the area. With a drainage area of 1,200 acres, the dam contributes to the overall water flow and ecosystem health of the Kawishiwi River.
As a key part of the water infrastructure in Lake County, Minnesota, Winton Dyke No. 2 is a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate-conscious energy production. With its historic significance and ongoing regulatory oversight, this hydroelectric dam serves as a symbol of the intersection between water resources, climate resilience, and renewable energy generation 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 Winton Dyke No. 2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Kawishiwi R Abv White Iron Lake Nr Ely | 1,710 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 802 cfs | → |
| Basswood River Near Winton | 5,710 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Nr Crane Lake | 1,020 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Winton Dyke No. 2 .
Boat launches
- Fernberg Road Lake County
- Shagawa Road West Ely
- Saint Louis County
- Fr 183 Lake County
- Echo Trail Saint Louis County
- Nels Lake Road Saint Louis County
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Wolf Bay Of Lake Vermilion To Section 26, T65n, R17w
- Section 26, T65n, R17w To Section 31, T66n, R17w
- Section 31, T66n, R17w To Crane Lake
- Bwcaw Boundary To Confluence With Plouff Creek
- North Temperance Lake In T63n, R4w To Bwcaw Boundary In T62n, R4w
- Confluence With Plouff Creek To Lake Superior In T59n, R4w
Track Winton Dyke No. 2 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 Winton Dyke No. 2
Where does the data for Winton Dyke No. 2 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 Winton Dyke No. 2 .