King'S Mill

Cannon River· Rice, Minnesota· Built 1862· Earth· 17 ft tall

High Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

King'S Mill is classified as high hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1862 and is 164 years old. Its primary use is recreation. 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	17 ft (taller than 55.8% in MN)
Dam Length	400 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	25.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage	14.1K acre-ft

Surface Area	1,000 acres
Drainage Area	321 sq mi
Max Discharge	1,750 cfs
Year Completed	1862 (164 years old)
Year Modified	2008
NID ID	MN00353

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: May 4, 2023

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

County of Rice

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Cannon River (Woolen Mills)

Rice, MN

Significant Hazard 6 ft

Maas Detention

Rice, MN

Low Hazard 30 ft

French Lake

Rice, MN

Low Hazard 8 ft

Morristown Pond

Rice, MN

Low Hazard 10 ft

Komarek Basin 4

Rice, MN

Unknown 5 ft

Komarek Basin 1

Rice, MN

Low Hazard 7 ft

Komarek Basin 11

Rice, MN

Low Hazard 6 ft

Logue Lake

Rice, MN

Low Hazard 7 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of King'S Mill?

King'S Mill 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 King'S Mill?

King'S Mill is owned by County of Rice (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was King'S Mill built?

King'S Mill was completed in 1862, making it 164 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 King'S Mill?

King'S Mill serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is King'S Mill?

King'S Mill has a dam height of 17 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 King'S Mill last inspected?

King'S Mill was last inspected on May 4, 2023. 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.