Little Pine Lake dam
Little Pine Lake
Little Pine Lake, located in Otter Tail, Minnesota, is a state-regulated reservoir on the Otter Tail River with a dam completed in 1933 by WPA-C. The gravity dam stands at 6 feet high and has a storage capacity of 67,200 acre-feet, providing a surface area of 2,100 acres for recreational activities and wildlife habitat. The dam's primary purpose is listed as 'Other', with satisfactory condition assessment and low hazard potential.
With a drainage area of 389 square miles, Little Pine Lake plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region. The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 63,000 acre-feet and can discharge up to 2,669 cubic feet per second. It is under the jurisdiction of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safe operation. The location's historical significance and engineering design make it a valuable asset for climate enthusiasts and water resource management professionals alike.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will be drawn to the rich history and functional importance of Little Pine Lake in Otter Tail, Minnesota. This state-regulated reservoir on the Otter Tail River showcases a gravity dam constructed in the 1930s, offering a glimpse into the past while serving as a vital component of the region's water management system today. With its impressive storage capacity, recreational opportunities, and low hazard potential, Little Pine Lake stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Pine Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Straight River Near Park Rapids | 46 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Near Elizabeth | 341 cfs | → |
| Crow Wing River At Nimrod | 343 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Hawley | 47 cfs | → |
| Otter Tail River Bl Orwell D Nr Fergus Falls | 525 cfs | → |
| South Branch Buffalo River At Sabin | 73 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Pine Lake.
Boat launches
- Otter Tail County
- Grand View Drive Otter Tail County
- Boys Shore Road Perham
- 513th Street Otter Tail County
- Rice Lake Road 48817, Otter Tail County
- Marion Lake Boat Ramp
Campgrounds
- Waterfront Park
- Wolf Lake City Campground
- American Legion Park - Detroit Lakes
- Lion's Park
- Maplewood State Park
- Maplewood State Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
More reservoirs
Track Little Pine 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 Little Pine Lake
Where does the data for Little Pine 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 Little Pine Lake.