Lake Okabena

Ocheydan River-TR· Nobles, Minnesota· Built 1941· Gravity· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Okabena is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1941 and is 85 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 30.9% in MN)
Dam Length50 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage10.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage8.4K acre-ft
Surface Area785 acres
Drainage Area22 sq mi
Max Discharge1,800 cfs
Year Completed1941 (85 years old)
NID IDMN00103

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 14, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

City of Worthington

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Okabena?

Lake Okabena 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 Okabena?

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

When was Lake Okabena built?

Lake Okabena was completed in 1941, making it 85 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 Okabena?

Lake Okabena 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 Okabena?

Lake Okabena has a dam height of 10 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 Okabena last inspected?

Lake Okabena was last inspected on November 14, 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.