Fairhaven

Clearwater River· Stearns, Minnesota· Built 1974· Gravity· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Fairhaven is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1974 and is 52 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 53.5% in MN)
Dam Length90 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage645 acre-ft
Normal Storage516 acre-ft
Drainage Area94 sq mi
Max Discharge2,120 cfs
Year Completed1974 (52 years old)
NID IDMN00406

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: July 14, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

County of Stearns;County of Wright

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fairhaven?

Fairhaven 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 Fairhaven?

Fairhaven is owned by County of Stearns;County of Wright (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fairhaven built?

Fairhaven was completed in 1974, making it 52 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 Fairhaven?

Fairhaven 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 Fairhaven?

Fairhaven has a dam height of 16 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 Fairhaven last inspected?

Fairhaven was last inspected on July 14, 2022. 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.