Dead Lake West

Dead River· Otter Tail, Minnesota· Built 1938· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Unknown State Government

Key Takeaway

Dead Lake West is classified as unknown in Minnesota. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 8.5% in MN)
Dam Length40 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage100.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage77.1K acre-ft
Surface Area7,534 acres
Drainage Area126 sq mi
Max Discharge479 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDMN00207

Safety Information

Unknown

Hazard potential has not been determined.

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, 2018
State Regulated: No

Ownership

MNDNR

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dead Lake West?

Dead Lake West is classified as Unknown. Hazard potential has not been determined. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Dead Lake West?

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

When was Dead Lake West built?

Dead Lake West was completed in 1938, making it 88 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

How tall is Dead Lake West?

Dead Lake West 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 Dead Lake West last inspected?

Dead Lake West was last inspected on August 29, 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.