Muskrat Lake

Pelican River· Becker, Minnesota· Built 1888· Rockfill· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Muskrat Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1888 and is 138 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 8.5% in MN)
Dam TypeRockfill
Max Storage700 acre-ft
Normal Storage650 acre-ft
Surface Area59 acres
Drainage Area85 sq mi
Max Discharge2,500 cfs
Year Completed1888 (138 years old)
Year Modified2001
NID IDMN00885

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 11, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MNDNR-Fisheries

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Muskrat Lake?

Muskrat Lake 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 Muskrat Lake?

Muskrat Lake is owned by MNDNR-Fisheries (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Muskrat Lake built?

Muskrat Lake was completed in 1888, making it 138 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 Muskrat Lake?

Muskrat Lake 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 Muskrat Lake?

Muskrat Lake has a dam height of 7 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 Muskrat Lake last inspected?

Muskrat Lake was last inspected on August 11, 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.