Gull Dam

GULL RIVER· Cass, Minnesota· Built 1912· Concrete· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Other Navigation Fish And Wildlife Pond Water Supply Flood Risk Reduction Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Gull Dam is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1912 and is 114 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 25.1% in MN)
Dam Length276 ft
Dam TypeConcrete
Max Storage75.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage61.0K acre-ft
Surface Area13,000 acres
Drainage Area287 sq mi
Max Discharge1,140 cfs
Year Completed1912 (114 years old)
NID IDMN00596

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: July 12, 2018
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USACE - St. Paul District

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Sylvan Dike No. 2

Morrison, MN

Low Hazard 8 ft

Pillager

Cass, MN

High Hazard 22 ft

Brainerd

Crow Wing, MN

High Hazard 20 ft

Stanchfield Lake

Morrison, MN

Low Hazard 12 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Gull Dam?

Gull Dam 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 Gull Dam?

Gull Dam is owned by USACE - St. Paul District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Gull Dam built?

Gull Dam was completed in 1912, making it 114 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 Gull Dam?

Gull Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Other, Navigation, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Water Supply, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Gull Dam?

Gull Dam has a dam height of 9 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 Gull Dam last inspected?

Gull Dam was last inspected on July 12, 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.