Marsh Dam

MINNESOTA· Swift, Minnesota· Built 1942· Earth· 9 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Marsh Dam 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 9 ft (taller than 25.1% in MN)
Dam Length9,700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage91.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage12.1K acre-ft
Surface Area5,100 acres
Drainage Area2,800 sq mi
Max Discharge2,700 cfs
Year Completed1942 (84 years old)
NID IDMN00579

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: Yes
Last Inspection: June 16, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USACE - St. Paul District

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Marsh Dam?

Marsh Dam 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 Marsh Dam?

Marsh Dam is owned by USACE - St. Paul District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Marsh Dam built?

Marsh Dam 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 Marsh Dam?

Marsh Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Other, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Marsh Dam?

Marsh Dam has a dam height of 9 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 Marsh Dam last inspected?

Marsh Dam was last inspected on June 16, 2022. 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.