Little Sand Lake 4 dam
Little Sand Lake 4
Little Sand Lake 4, also known as Aple Plains Fish Hatchery, is a gravity dam located in Barron, Wisconsin. Completed in 1940, this dam serves as the outlet of a rearing pond and is owned and regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. With a height of 17 feet and a length of 200 feet, Little Sand Lake 4 has a storage capacity of 190 acre-feet and a normal storage of 80 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 22 acres.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Little Sand Lake 4 is considered to have a very high risk, with a risk assessment rating of 1. The dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, and its emergency action plan status is unknown. With a maximum discharge capacity of 140 cubic feet per second, Little Sand Lake 4 plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area, contributing to the overall environmental health and sustainability of the region.
As a site of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Little Sand Lake 4 provides a fascinating glimpse into the infrastructure and management of water resources in Wisconsin. With its unique design and purpose, this gravity dam offers insights into the conservation and utilization of water for both practical and environmental purposes. Located in a picturesque setting, Little Sand Lake 4 is a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of climate change and evolving regulatory standards.
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 Sand Lake 4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| St. Croix River At St. Croix Falls | 3,830 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River Near Danbury | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Hay River At Wheeler | 348 cfs | → |
| Red Cedar River Near Colfax | 850 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River Near Bruce | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Snake River Near Pine City | 447 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Sand Lake 4.
Boat launches
- Sand Lake -- Access
- Little Sand Lake -- Access
- North Lake -- Access At E Side Lake 22 5/8 Ave
- Horseshoe Lake -- Access At Northwest Corner Of Lake Off 3rd St
- Beaver Dam Lake -- Eagle Point Access (North End Of Island Ave)
- Scott Lake -- Access
Campgrounds
- Kirby Lake Primitive
- Eagle Point Campground
- Whitetailridge Campground
- Turtle Lake City Park
- Village Park Campground
- Shell Lake Municipal Park
Paddle runs
Track Little Sand Lake 4 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 Sand Lake 4
Where does the data for Little Sand Lake 4 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 Sand Lake 4.