Rice River Pool dam
Rice River Pool
Rice River Pool is a captivating water resource located in Kimberly, Minnesota, within the beautiful Aitkin County. Managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, this federal-owned fish and wildlife pond was completed in 1949 with a primary purpose of supporting aquatic life in the Rice River. The dam, a gravity type structure with a height of 9 feet and a length of 95 feet, has a storage capacity of 38,000 acre-feet, providing essential habitat for the local wildlife.
With a surface area of 7,000 acres and a drainage area of 176 acres, Rice River Pool plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the region. The pond's controlled spillway ensures the safety of the surrounding areas, with a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating. Despite not being state-regulated, the dam is well-maintained and continues to provide vital support for the local ecosystem. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will appreciate the unique features and significance of Rice River Pool in sustaining the natural environment of Minnesota.
Visitors to Rice River Pool can enjoy the serene surroundings and observe diverse wildlife species thriving in this carefully managed habitat. The dedication of the US Fish and Wildlife Service in maintaining and enhancing the pond's ecological value is evident in its low hazard potential and very high risk assessment. As a critical component of the Rice River ecosystem, the pool serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of climate challenges.
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 Rice River Pool -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Kettle River Below Sandstone | 402 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 2,480 cfs | → |
| St. Louis River At Scanlon | 2,360 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 550 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 1,110 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rice River Pool.
Boat launches
- 299th Place Aitkin County
- 170th Place Aitkin County
- Public Access Road Aitkin County
- 292nd Street Aitkin County
- State Highway 65 Aitkin County
- 362nd Place Aitkin County
Campgrounds
- Sandy Lake-Coe
- Aitkin County Campground
- Pete's Retreat Campground & Rv Park
- Hog's Back Beach
- Savanna Portage State Park Campground
- Snake River City Campground
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
- Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam
- The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam To The Confluence With St. Croix River
- The 25-Acre Island Just South Of Brainerd To Roscoe Island
- The Confluence Of The Prairie River To The Boundary Of Logan And Workman Townships
Track Rice River Pool 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 Rice River Pool
Where does the data for Rice River Pool 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 Rice River Pool.