Big Pine Lake

Otter Tail River· Otter Tail, Minnesota· Built 1937· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Big Pine Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 8.5% in MN)
Dam Length235 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage91.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage77.1K acre-ft
Surface Area4,644 acres
Drainage Area560 sq mi
Max Discharge3,420 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDMN00212

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: August 31, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MNDNR

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Big Pine Lake?

Big Pine 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 Big Pine Lake?

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

When was Big Pine Lake built?

Big Pine Lake was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Big Pine Lake?

Big Pine 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 Big Pine Lake?

Big Pine Lake has a dam height of 7 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 Big Pine Lake last inspected?

Big Pine Lake was last inspected on August 31, 2017. 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.