Lake Bella

Ocheydan River· Nobles, Minnesota· Built 1971· Earth· 28 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Bella is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 28 ft (taller than 78.9% in MN)
Dam Length924 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.2K acre-ft
Drainage Area67 sq mi
Max Discharge2,177 cfs
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDMN00316

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: June 23, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

WD of Okabena-Ocheda

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Bella?

Lake Bella 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 Lake Bella?

Lake Bella is owned by WD of Okabena-Ocheda (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Bella built?

Lake Bella was completed in 1971, making it 55 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 Lake Bella?

Lake Bella serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Bella?

Lake Bella has a dam height of 28 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 Lake Bella last inspected?

Lake Bella was last inspected on June 23, 2020. 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.