Eel Lake

TR-EEL RIVER· Itasca, Minnesota· Built 1977· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Eel Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 25.1% in MN)
Dam Length118 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage360 acre-ft
Normal Storage57 acre-ft
Surface Area487 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge65 cfs
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)
NID IDMN01697

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 31, 2020
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Welch Lake

Itasca, MN

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Fiske Lake

Itasca, MN

Low Hazard 12 ft

Clover Leaf

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Low Hazard 15 ft

Dishpan Wma Impoundment 2

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Low Hazard 9 ft

Dishpan Lake

Itasca, MN

Low Hazard 11 ft

Koochiching Wetland

Koochiching, MN

Low Hazard 20 ft

Shogren

Itasca, MN

Low Hazard 8 ft

Bowstring

Itasca, MN

Low Hazard 8 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Eel Lake?

Eel 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 Eel Lake?

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

When was Eel Lake built?

Eel Lake was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 Eel Lake?

Eel Lake serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Eel Lake?

Eel Lake has a dam height of 9 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 Eel Lake last inspected?

Eel Lake was last inspected on August 31, 2020. 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.