Heron Lake Outlet

Heron Lake Outlet· Jackson, Minnesota· Built 1937· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

Heron Lake Outlet is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 8.5% in MN)
Dam Length133 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage100.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage72.6K acre-ft
Surface Area2,845 acres
Drainage Area448 sq mi
Max Discharge4,889 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
Year Modified2000
NID IDMN00115

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: November 15, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MNDNR-Wildlife

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Heron Lake Outlet?

Heron Lake Outlet 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 Heron Lake Outlet?

Heron Lake Outlet is owned by MNDNR-Wildlife (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Heron Lake Outlet built?

Heron Lake Outlet was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Heron Lake Outlet?

Heron Lake Outlet 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 Heron Lake Outlet?

Heron Lake Outlet has a dam height of 7 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 Heron Lake Outlet last inspected?

Heron Lake Outlet was last inspected on November 15, 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.