Little Willow River Wma dam
Little Willow River Wma
Little Willow River WMA, located in Aitkin, Minnesota, is a state-owned property that includes a Fish and Wildlife Pond along the Little Willow River. The dam on the property, completed in 1973, stands at a height of 10 feet and has a length of 228 feet, with a storage capacity of 950 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for fish and wildlife management, showcasing the state's commitment to conservation and ecological preservation.
Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the dam at Little Willow River WMA is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, the dam is rated as having a very high risk due to its location and potential impact in the event of a failure. However, as of the last inspection in 2016, the dam was found to be in satisfactory condition, with no immediate concerns identified.
With its controlled spillway and satisfactory condition, Little Willow River WMA serves as a valuable resource for both wildlife and water management in the area. Enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate issues will appreciate the efforts undertaken by the state to protect and enhance the ecological balance of the Little Willow River ecosystem through this carefully managed facility.
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 Willow River Wma -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 2,480 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Grand Rapids | 550 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Prairie River Near Taconite | 187 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Willow River Wma.
Boat launches
- State Highway 47 Glen
- Mill Road Emily
- 362nd Place Aitkin County
- Cass County
- 382nd Place Aitkin County
- Cedar Lake Access Road Aitkin County
Campgrounds
- Aitkin County Campground
- Land O'Lakes Sf - Baker And White Oak Lake
- Land O'Lakes Sf - Clint Converse
- Cuyuna Mountain Bike Campground
- Clint Converse - Land Olakes State Forest
- Greer Lake Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The Discharge Of The Flood Diversion Channel To Riverton
- The Boundary Between Logan And Workman Townships In Aitkin County To The Dam Entrance Of The Flood Diversion Channel
- 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
- Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam
- Lake Winnigigoshish To Blackwater Lake
Track Little Willow River Wma 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 Willow River Wma
Where does the data for Little Willow River Wma 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 Willow River Wma.