Fond Du Lac

St Louis River· St. Louis, Minnesota· Built 1924· Gravity· 80 ft tall

High Hazard Hydroelectric Private

Key Takeaway

Fond Du Lac is classified as high hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1924 and is 102 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	80 ft (taller than 98.9% in MN)
Dam Length	1,475 ft
Dam Type	Gravity
Max Storage	2.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage	2.5K acre-ft

Surface Area	160 acres
Drainage Area	3,600 sq mi
Max Discharge	181,000 cfs
Year Completed	1924 (102 years old)
NID ID	MN00603

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: September 21, 2022

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

Allete, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Thomson Dam No 1-1/2

Carlton, MN

Low Hazard 10 ft

Scanlon East Channel Dam

Carlton, MN

Significant Hazard 15 ft

Cloquet

Carlton, MN

Low Hazard 47 ft

Knife Falls North Channel Dam

Carlton, MN

Low Hazard 18 ft

Erie Pier Dike

St. Louis, MN

Low Hazard 11 ft

Moehrke SCS

Carlton, MN

Low Hazard 21 ft

Pattison State Park

Douglas, WI

Significant Hazard 20 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fond Du Lac?

Fond Du Lac is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Fond Du Lac?

Fond Du Lac is owned by Allete, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fond Du Lac built?

Fond Du Lac was completed in 1924, making it 102 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 Fond Du Lac?

Fond Du Lac serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Fond Du Lac?

Fond Du Lac has a dam height of 80 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 Fond Du Lac last inspected?

Fond Du Lac was last inspected on September 21, 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.