Whiteface Lake West Dike dam
Whiteface Lake West Dike
Whiteface Lake West Dike in Minnesota, completed in 1922, serves as a crucial structure for hydropower generation and recreational activities in the region. The dam, with a height of 36 feet, supports a storage capacity of 46,900 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 4,800 acres. It is regulated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and inspected by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure its safe operation.
Located in St. Louis County, Minnesota, the Whiteface Lake West Dike is strategically positioned along the Skunk River and Whiteface River. With a low hazard potential, the dam is associated with three other structures and falls under federal jurisdiction for regulation and inspection. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectricity generation, although it also provides opportunities for recreation in the area.
Managed by the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Whiteface Lake West Dike stands as a testament to the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. Its efficient design and operation not only contribute to renewable energy production but also offer a recreational oasis for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the region.
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 West Dike -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Knife River Near Two Harbors | 21 cfs | → |
| St. Louis River At Scanlon | 2,210 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi R Abv White Iron Lake Nr Ely | 1,280 cfs | → |
| Nemadji River Near South Superior | 162 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 739 cfs | → |
| Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 418 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Whiteface Lake West Dike .
Boat launches
- Miller Trunk Road Saint Louis County
- Boulder Dam Road Saint Louis County
- Saint Louis County
- Ore-Be-Gone Drive Gilbert
- Mesabi Trail Biwabik
- North 9th Avenue West Virginia
Campgrounds
- Whiteface Back Country Campsite-West
- Whiteface Back Country Campsite-East
- Whiteface Reservoir
- Whiteface Reservoir Campground
- Whiteface Reservoir Recreation Area
- Fishermans Point City Campground
Fishing spots
Track Whiteface Lake West Dike 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 West Dike
Where does the data for Whiteface Lake West Dike 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 West Dike .