Lake Yankton

Dog Creek-TR· Lyon, Minnesota· Built 1942· Gravity· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Yankton is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1942 and is 84 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 16.2% in MN)
Dam Length17 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage380 acre-ft
Normal Storage380 acre-ft
Surface Area380 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Max Discharge389 cfs
Year Completed1942 (84 years old)
NID IDMN00230

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: August 24, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

City of Balaton

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Yankton?

Lake Yankton 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 Yankton?

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

When was Lake Yankton built?

Lake Yankton was completed in 1942, making it 84 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 Yankton?

Lake Yankton 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 Yankton?

Lake Yankton has a dam height of 8 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 Yankton last inspected?

Lake Yankton was last inspected on August 24, 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.