Granite Falls

Minnesota River· Chippewa, Minnesota· Built 1911· Gravity· 21 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Local Government

Key Takeaway

Granite Falls is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1911 and is 115 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 63.7% in MN)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage252 acre-ft
Normal Storage252 acre-ft
Surface Area52 acres
Drainage Area6,370 sq mi
Max Discharge36,800 cfs
Year Completed1911 (115 years old)
NID IDMN00510

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: Yes
Last Inspection: August 8, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

Granite Falls, City of

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Granite Falls?

Granite Falls 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 Granite Falls?

Granite Falls is owned by Granite Falls, City of (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Granite Falls built?

Granite Falls was completed in 1911, making it 115 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 Granite Falls?

Granite Falls 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 Granite Falls?

Granite Falls has a dam height of 21 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 Granite Falls last inspected?

Granite Falls was last inspected on August 8, 2018. 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.