Albert Lea Lake

Shell Rock River· Freeborn, Minnesota· Built 1923· Gravity· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Albert Lea Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1923 and is 103 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 41.3% in MN)
Dam Length120 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage15.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage8.6K acre-ft
Surface Area2,698 acres
Drainage Area147 sq mi
Max Discharge4,500 cfs
Year Completed1923 (103 years old)
Year Modified2015
NID IDMN00362

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: September 18, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

WD of Shell Rock River

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Albert Lea Lake?

Albert Lea Lake is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Albert Lea Lake?

Albert Lea Lake is owned by WD of Shell Rock River (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Albert Lea Lake built?

Albert Lea Lake was completed in 1923, making it 103 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Albert Lea Lake?

Albert Lea Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Albert Lea Lake?

Albert Lea Lake has a dam height of 12 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Albert Lea Lake last inspected?

Albert Lea Lake was last inspected on September 18, 2015. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.