Island Lake North Dike

Cloquet River· St. Louis, Minnesota· Built 1915· Earth· 21 ft tall
High Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Island Lake North Dike is classified as high hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1915 and is 111 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 63.7% in MN)
Dam Length1,100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage177.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage166.0K acre-ft
Surface Area10,800 acres
Max Discharge7,445 cfs
Year Completed1915 (111 years old)
NID IDMN00612

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: September 23, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

Allete, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Island Lake North Dike?

Island Lake North Dike is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Island Lake North Dike?

Island Lake North Dike is owned by Allete, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Island Lake North Dike built?

Island Lake North Dike was completed in 1915, making it 111 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 Island Lake North Dike?

Island Lake North Dike serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Island Lake North Dike?

Island Lake North Dike 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 Island Lake North Dike last inspected?

Island Lake North Dike was last inspected on September 23, 2021. 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.