Staples Wma dam
Staples Wma
Staples WMA, also known as Rice Lake, is a state-owned property located in Todd County, Minnesota. This wildlife management area is home to a fish and wildlife pond that serves as a vital habitat for various species. The dam on the property, completed in 1988, stands at a height of 8.5 feet and has a structural height of 12 feet, with a storage capacity of 2600 acre-feet.
The Staples WMA dam has a low hazard potential and is deemed to be in satisfactory condition. It covers a surface area of 670 acres and has a drainage area of 6 square miles. The spillway on the dam is controlled, with a maximum discharge capacity of 200 cubic feet per second. This site is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
With its strategic location along Stony Brook and its important role in supporting fish and wildlife populations, Staples WMA is a significant resource for conservation and environmental management in the region. The collaborative effort of multiple agencies, including the MNDNR, NRCS, and MNDOT, highlights the commitment to preserving and enhancing the natural ecosystems within the area. This site not only provides recreational opportunities for visitors but also contributes to the overall health and sustainability of the local water resources and climate.
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 Staples Wma -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 968 cfs | → |
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 141 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 289 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 1,700 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River Near Royalton | 3,360 cfs | → |
| Straight River Near Park Rapids | 44 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Staples Wma.
Boat launches
- Pillager Dam Road Cass County
- South Pillager Lake Drive Southwest Cass County
- Cass County
- 25th Avenue Southwest Sylvan
- Dogwood Road Morrison County
- Sylvan Dam Road Southwest Cass County
Campgrounds
- Dower Lake Recreation Area
- Dower Lake Rec Area
- Crow Wing River - Peter Card
- Crow Wing River - Alice B. Marsh
- Mcgivern Park Campground
- Old Wadena Park Campground
Fishing spots
Track Staples 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 Staples Wma
Where does the data for Staples 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 Staples Wma.