Freeborn Lake

Big Cobb River· Freeborn, Minnesota· Built 1909· Other· 5 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Local Government

Key Takeaway

Freeborn Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1909 and is 117 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 5 ft (taller than 1% in MN)
Dam Length90 ft
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage9.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.8K acre-ft
Surface Area2,222 acres
Drainage Area12 sq mi
Max Discharge515 cfs
Year Completed1909 (117 years old)
NID IDMN00361

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 21, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

County of Freeborn

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Freeborn Lake?

Freeborn 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 Freeborn Lake?

Freeborn Lake is owned by County of Freeborn (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Freeborn Lake built?

Freeborn Lake was completed in 1909, making it 117 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 Freeborn Lake?

Freeborn 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 Freeborn Lake?

Freeborn Lake has a dam height of 5 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 Freeborn Lake last inspected?

Freeborn Lake was last inspected on July 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.