Little Spider Lake dam
Little Spider Lake
Little Spider Lake, located in Iron River, Wisconsin, is a picturesque reservoir created by the Mullenhoff Dam in 1929. This private dam stands at a height of 7 feet and has a total length of 400 feet, with a normal storage capacity of 200 acre-feet. The dam serves as the outlet for Mullenhoff Lake, contributing to a surface area of 69 acres and a drainage area of 0.8 square miles.
Despite its age, the Little Spider Lake dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. While the dam is regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and subject to inspection and enforcement measures, it has not been evaluated for its emergency action plan or risk management measures. With a maximum discharge capacity of 20 cubic feet per second and an uncontrolled spillway type, the reservoir presents a moderate risk level but remains a captivating site for water resource and climate enthusiasts in Bayfield County.
As a focal point for outdoor enthusiasts and environmentalists, Little Spider Lake offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance. From its scenic surroundings to its engineering marvels, this reservoir continues to serve as a vital water resource in Wisconsin, inviting visitors to explore its tranquil waters and appreciate the delicate balance between human intervention and environmental preservation.
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 Spider Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bois Brule River At Brule | 167 cfs | → |
| North Fish Creek Near Moquah | 55 cfs | → |
| Whittlesey Creek Near Ashland | 15 cfs | → |
| White River Near Ashland | 245 cfs | → |
| Namekagon River At Leonards | 154 cfs | → |
| Nemadji River Near South Superior | 508 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Little Spider Lake.
Boat launches
- Buskey Bay - Hyde's Landing
- Buskey Bay - Town Landing
- Half Moon Lake -- Access Off North Shore Dr
- Fire Lake -- Access At Off Fire Lake Rd.
- Twin Bear Lake -- Twin Bear County Park
- Long Lake -- Access Off Island Blvd
Campgrounds
- Moon Lake City Park
- Wanoka Lake Campground
- Wanoka
- Wanoka Lake Recreation Area
- Twin Bear County Park
- Delta Lake County Park
Fishing spots
Track Little Spider 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 Spider Lake
Where does the data for Little Spider 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 Spider Lake.