Mcdonald Lakes

Dead River-TR· Otter Tail, Minnesota· Built 1937· Other· 6 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Mcdonald Lakes is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 6 ft (taller than 1.9% in MN)
Dam Length34 ft
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage28.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage25.6K acre-ft
Surface Area561 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Max Discharge519 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDMN00200

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 8, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MNDNR

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mcdonald Lakes?

Mcdonald Lakes 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 Mcdonald Lakes?

Mcdonald Lakes is owned by MNDNR (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mcdonald Lakes built?

Mcdonald Lakes was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Mcdonald Lakes?

Mcdonald Lakes 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 Mcdonald Lakes?

Mcdonald Lakes 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 Mcdonald Lakes last inspected?

Mcdonald Lakes was last inspected on August 8, 2019. 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.