Friberg (Taplin Gorge)

Ottertail River· Otter Tail, Minnesota· Built 1925· Gravity· 31 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Fish And Wildlife Pond Recreation Public Utility

Key Takeaway

Friberg (Taplin Gorge) is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1925 and is 101 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 31 ft (taller than 85% in MN)
Dam Length340 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage5.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.5K acre-ft
Surface Area350 acres
Drainage Area1,230 sq mi
Max Discharge7,200 cfs
Year Completed1925 (101 years old)
NID IDMN00199

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

Ownership

Otter Tail Power Company

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Friberg (Taplin Gorge)?

Friberg (Taplin Gorge) 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 Friberg (Taplin Gorge)?

Friberg (Taplin Gorge) is owned by Otter Tail Power Company (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Friberg (Taplin Gorge) built?

Friberg (Taplin Gorge) was completed in 1925, making it 101 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 Friberg (Taplin Gorge)?

Friberg (Taplin Gorge) serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Friberg (Taplin Gorge)?

Friberg (Taplin Gorge) has a dam height of 31 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 Friberg (Taplin Gorge) last inspected?

Friberg (Taplin Gorge) 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.