Kramer Pond dam
Kramer Pond
Kramer Pond, also known as Kramer's Folly, is a private water resource located in Todd County, Minnesota. Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, this earth dam structure serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. With a dam height of 20 feet and a storage capacity of 275 acre-feet, this pond covers a surface area of 29 acres and drains a 1.8 square mile watershed.
Despite its relatively small size, Kramer Pond poses a significant hazard potential due to its unsatisfactory condition assessment. The last inspection in August 1995 revealed maintenance issues that could potentially impact the safety of the structure. The pond's location along the Wing River-TR stream highlights its importance in the local ecosystem and water management system.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, monitoring and maintaining structures like Kramer Pond become crucial for ensuring water security and environmental sustainability. With its proximity to Motley and the oversight of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, this private pond serves as a vital asset for fire protection, stock, and recreational activities, making it a key area of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
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 Kramer Pond -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 289 cfs | → |
| Long Prairie River At Long Prairie | 141 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River Near Pillager | 968 cfs | → |
| Straight River Near Park Rapids | 44 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 294 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Brainerd | 1,700 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kramer Pond.
Boat launches
- Park Irene Drive Northeast 5112, Douglas County
- State Highway 78 Ottertail
- State Highway 78 305, Ottertail
- North Lake Miltona Drive Northeast 2540, Douglas County
- East Sandy Beach Drive Northeast 96, Douglas County
- Grand View Drive Otter Tail County
Campgrounds
- Sunnybrook Park
- Sunnybrook City Park
- Bertha City Park
- Glenn Johnson Memorial Park
- Lion's Park
- Dower Lake Rec Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The 25-Acre Island Just South Of Brainerd To Roscoe Island
- Blanchard Dam To Ends One Mile Downstream From The Southern Village Boundary Of Rice
More reservoirs
Track Kramer Pond 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 Kramer Pond
Where does the data for Kramer Pond 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 Significant 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 Kramer Pond.