Black Dog Lake

Minnesota River-TR· Dakota, Minnesota· Built 1953· Gravity· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Black Dog Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1953 and is 73 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 60.7% in MN)
Dam Length120 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage3.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.6K acre-ft
Surface Area530 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Max Discharge6,250 cfs
Year Completed1953 (73 years old)
NID IDMN00349

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 29, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

Xcel Energy

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Black Dog Lake?

Black Dog 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 Black Dog Lake?

Black Dog Lake is owned by Xcel Energy (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Black Dog Lake built?

Black Dog Lake was completed in 1953, making it 73 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 Black Dog Lake?

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

How tall is Black Dog Lake?

Black Dog Lake has a dam height of 20 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 Black Dog Lake last inspected?

Black Dog Lake was last inspected on August 29, 2022. 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.