Bowstring

Bowstring River-TR· Itasca, Minnesota· Built 1989· Earth· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Bowstring is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1989 and is 37 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 16.2% in MN)
Dam Length550 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage192 acre-ft
Normal Storage126 acre-ft
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge58 cfs
Year Completed1989 (37 years old)
NID IDMN01709

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: October 22, 2007
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bowstring?

Bowstring 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 Bowstring?

Bowstring is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bowstring built?

Bowstring was completed in 1989, making it 37 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 Bowstring?

Bowstring 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 Bowstring?

Bowstring has a dam height of 8 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 Bowstring last inspected?

Bowstring was last inspected on October 22, 2007. 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.