Whiteface Lake dam
Whiteface Lake
Whiteface Lake in Minnesota is a captivating hydroelectric and recreational reservoir nestled in the picturesque St. Louis County. With a dam completed in 1922, this body of water boasts a surface area of 4800 acres and a maximum storage capacity of 46,900 acre-feet. The hydroelectric facility is regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and is state-permitted, inspected, and enforced by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The dam, standing at a height of 39 feet and a structural height of 40 feet, spans a length of 1365 feet and is primarily made of concrete and earth materials. Whiteface Lake offers various recreational opportunities for enthusiasts and visitors, with the Skunk River and Whiteface River flowing nearby. The facility is equipped with two slide (sluice gate) outlet gates and has a low hazard potential, with a very high risk assessment rating.
The breathtaking Whiteface Lake not only serves as a source of clean, renewable hydroelectric power but also provides a tranquil setting for outdoor activities and water sports. Its rich history and engineering marvel make it a must-visit destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts looking to explore the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental sustainability.
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 Whiteface Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Knife River Near Two Harbors | 43 cfs | → |
| St. Louis River At Scanlon | 2,670 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi R Abv White Iron Lake Nr Ely | 2,210 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 1,450 cfs | → |
| Nemadji River Near South Superior | 242 cfs | → |
| Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 1,010 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whiteface Lake .
Boat launches
- Saint Louis County
- Boulder Dam Road Saint Louis County
- Miller Trunk Road Saint Louis County
- Mesabi Trail Biwabik
- Ore-Be-Gone Drive Gilbert
- Stewart Lk Road Lake County
Campgrounds
- Whiteface Back Country Campsite-West
- Whiteface Back Country Campsite-East
- Whiteface Reservoir
- Whiteface Reservoir Campground
- Whiteface Reservoir Recreation Area
- Cadotte Lake
Fishing spots
Track Whiteface 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 Whiteface Lake
Where does the data for Whiteface 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 Whiteface Lake .