Cannon River (Woolen Mills)

Cannon River· Rice, Minnesota· Built 1865· Gravity· 6 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Cannon River (Woolen Mills) is classified as significant hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1865 and is 161 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 6 ft (taller than 1.9% in MN)
Dam Length650 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage1.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage750 acre-ft
Surface Area54 acres
Drainage Area332 sq mi
Max Discharge810 cfs
Year Completed1865 (161 years old)
NID IDMN00354

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: May 4, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

City of Faribault

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cannon River (Woolen Mills)?

Cannon River (Woolen Mills) is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Cannon River (Woolen Mills)?

Cannon River (Woolen Mills) is owned by City of Faribault (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cannon River (Woolen Mills) built?

Cannon River (Woolen Mills) was completed in 1865, making it 161 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 Cannon River (Woolen Mills)?

Cannon River (Woolen Mills) 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 Cannon River (Woolen Mills)?

Cannon River (Woolen Mills) has a dam height of 6 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 Cannon River (Woolen Mills) last inspected?

Cannon River (Woolen Mills) was last inspected on May 4, 2023. 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.