Lake Minnetonka

Minnehaha Creek· Hennepin, Minnesota· Gravity· 5 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Minnetonka is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 5 ft (taller than 1% in MN)
Dam Length32 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage23.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage23.3K acre-ft
Surface Area14,004 acres
Drainage Area125 sq mi
NID IDMN01307

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: October 18, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

WD of Minnehaha Creek

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Silver Lake

Hennepin, MN

Low Hazard 3 ft

Plymouth Creek

Hennepin, MN

Low Hazard 7 ft

Plymouth Creek Pond

Hennepin, MN

Low Hazard 9 ft

Lake Riley

Hennepin, MN

Unknown 5 ft

Morris T Baker Reserve

Hennepin, MN

Low Hazard 6 ft

Hesse F Pond

Carver, MN

Low Hazard 11 ft

Ids

Carver, MN

Low Hazard 20 ft

Mcknight Lake

Carver, MN

Low Hazard 8 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Minnetonka?

Lake Minnetonka 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 Minnetonka?

Lake Minnetonka is owned by WD of Minnehaha Creek (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

What is the primary purpose of Lake Minnetonka?

Lake Minnetonka 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 Lake Minnetonka?

Lake Minnetonka has a dam height of 5 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 Minnetonka last inspected?

Lake Minnetonka was last inspected on October 18, 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.