Deer Lake

Crow River N Fork-TR· Wright, Minnesota· Built 1940· Gravity· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Deer Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1940 and is 86 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 37.6% in MN)
Dam Length55 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage2.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.4K acre-ft
Surface Area163 acres
Drainage Area50 sq mi
Max Discharge1,490 cfs
Year Completed1940 (86 years old)
NID IDMN00402

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: June 7, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MNDNR-Fisheries

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Deer Lake?

Deer 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 Deer Lake?

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

When was Deer Lake built?

Deer Lake was completed in 1940, making it 86 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 Deer Lake?

Deer 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 Deer Lake?

Deer Lake has a dam height of 11 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 Deer Lake last inspected?

Deer Lake was last inspected on June 7, 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.