Little Rock Creek dam
Little Rock Creek
Little Rock Creek, also known as Sartell Wma, is a state-regulated water resource located in Rice, Minnesota. This picturesque creek is a gravity dam type structure with a height of 8 feet and a length of 182 feet, completed in 1978. With a maximum storage capacity of 480 acre-feet and a normal storage of 140 acre-feet, Little Rock Creek covers a surface area of 1310 acres and drains an area of 66.5 square miles.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Little Rock Creek is designated for purposes other than flood control or irrigation. The dam has a low hazard potential and is in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in November 2017. With a regular inspection frequency of every 8 years, this water resource plays a vital role in the local ecosystem and provides a valuable habitat for various species. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Little Rock Creek to be a fascinating location to explore and study, given its unique features and regulatory status within the state.
For those interested in the conservation and management of water resources, Little Rock Creek offers a glimpse into the intricate network of dams and structures that contribute to the state's water infrastructure. With its serene surroundings and well-maintained condition, Little Rock Creek stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the role of structures like Little Rock Creek becomes increasingly crucial for ensuring the resilience and sustainability of our natural environment.
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 Little Rock Creek -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River Near Royalton | 4,670 cfs | → |
| Sauk River Near St. Cloud | 531 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At St. Cloud | 5,460 cfs | → |
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 168 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 1,140 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Big Lake | 246 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Rock Creek.
Boat launches
- Benton Beach Road Benton County
- Trail Stearns County
- Us 10 9399, Rice
- 90th Street Northeast 2503, Benton County
- Northeast River Road Watab
- Sauk Rapids
Campgrounds
- Benton Beach Campground
- Benton Beach
- Genola Park And Campground
- Veterans Memorial Park Campgrounds
- Pierz Park
- Pierz City Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Blanchard Dam To Ends One Mile Downstream From The Southern Village Boundary Of Rice
- The Beaver Islands At St. Cloud To The Confluence Of The Clearwater River
- The Confluence Of The Clearwater River To The Northwestern Corporate Boundary Of Anoka
- The 25-Acre Island Just South Of Brainerd To Roscoe Island
More reservoirs
Track Little Rock Creek 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 Little Rock Creek
Where does the data for Little Rock Creek 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 Little Rock Creek.