Lake Shaokatan

Yellow Medicine River· Lincoln, Minnesota· Built 1917· Gravity· 6 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Shaokatan is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1917 and is 109 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 6 ft (taller than 1.9% in MN)
Dam Length98 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage408 acre-ft
Normal Storage155 acre-ft
Surface Area994 acres
Drainage Area14 sq mi
Max Discharge750 cfs
Year Completed1917 (109 years old)
NID IDMN00122

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: May 1, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

County of Lincoln

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Shaokatan?

Lake Shaokatan 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 Shaokatan?

Lake Shaokatan is owned by County of Lincoln (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Shaokatan built?

Lake Shaokatan was completed in 1917, making it 109 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 Shaokatan?

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

How tall is Lake Shaokatan?

Lake Shaokatan has a dam height of 6 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 Shaokatan last inspected?

Lake Shaokatan was last inspected on May 1, 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.