Ernst Pool

Knife River-TR· Mille Lacs, Minnesota· Built 1958· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

Ernst Pool is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1958 and is 68 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 41.3% in MN)
Dam Length510 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage650 acre-ft
Normal Storage300 acre-ft
Surface Area48 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge190 cfs
Year Completed1958 (68 years old)
NID IDMN00563

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 5, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MNDNR-Wildlife

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ernst Pool?

Ernst Pool 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 Ernst Pool?

Ernst Pool is owned by MNDNR-Wildlife (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ernst Pool built?

Ernst Pool was completed in 1958, making it 68 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 Ernst Pool?

Ernst Pool 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 Ernst Pool?

Ernst Pool has a dam height of 12 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 Ernst Pool last inspected?

Ernst Pool was last inspected on June 5, 2019. 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.