Beaver Lake

Straight River-TR· Steele, Minnesota· Built 1939· Gravity· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Other State Government

Key Takeaway

Beaver Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1939 and is 87 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 37.6% in MN)
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage21.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.4K acre-ft
Surface Area91 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge69 cfs
Year Completed1939 (87 years old)
NID IDMN00410

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: November 7, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MNDNR

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Beaver Lake?

Beaver 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 Beaver Lake?

Beaver Lake is owned by MNDNR (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Beaver Lake built?

Beaver Lake was completed in 1939, making it 87 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 Beaver Lake?

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

How tall is Beaver Lake?

Beaver Lake has a dam height of 11 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 Beaver Lake last inspected?

Beaver Lake was last inspected on November 7, 2018. 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.