White Earth Lake dam
White Earth Lake
White Earth Lake in Becker, Minnesota, is a state-regulated gravity dam constructed in 1937 with a primary purpose of "Other." The dam stands at a height of 8 feet and has a hydraulic height of 2.2 feet, with a storage capacity of 56,025 acre-feet. The lake covers a surface area of 1,990 acres and has a drainage area of 106 square miles, with a maximum discharge of 975 cubic feet per second.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the condition assessment of White Earth Lake's dam is rated as fair. The last inspection conducted in August 2016 revealed that the dam meets regulatory standards but may require maintenance to ensure continued safe operation. The risk assessment for the dam is classified as very high, indicating the need for proactive risk management measures to mitigate potential hazards and ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment.
Located near the White Earth River, White Earth Lake serves as a vital water resource for seasonal dwellings in the area. The controlled spillway width of 20 feet provides a mechanism for managing excess water flow, while the dam's structure and design reflect the craftsmanship of the Works Progress Administration-Civilian (WPA-C) designers. With its historical significance and importance in water resource management, White Earth Lake is a captivating site for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
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 White Earth Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Rice River At Twin Valley | 194 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Hawley | 46 cfs | → |
| Straight River Near Park Rapids | 45 cfs | → |
| County Ditch 65 Near Maple Bay | 1 cfs | → |
| County Ditch 72 (Burnham Ck) Nr. Maple Bay (Sw3) | 0 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Dilworth | 110 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near White Earth Lake.
Boat launches
- County Road 143 Becker County
- Sugar Maple Lane 29299, Becker County
- Hoot Owl Lake Road 10405, Clearwater County
- Mn 200 Beaulieu
- Reservation Highway 22 12298, Clearwater County
- Pine Point
Campgrounds
- Long Lake County Campground
- American Legion Park - Detroit Lakes
- Spring Lake City Park
- Heiberg Park
- Heiberg Park Campground
- Itasca State Park
Fishing spots
Track White Earth Lake 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 White Earth Lake
Where does the data for White Earth Lake 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 White Earth Lake.