Nelson Pond

Buffalo River-TR· Becker, Minnesota· Built 1957· Earth· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Private

Key Takeaway

Nelson Pond is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1957 and is 69 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 53.5% in MN)
Dam Length98 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage225 acre-ft
Normal Storage225 acre-ft
Surface Area240 acres
Drainage Area11 sq mi
Max Discharge160 cfs
Year Completed1957 (69 years old)
NID IDMN00492

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 22, 2014
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

Nelson, August

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Nelson Pond?

Nelson Pond 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 Nelson Pond?

Nelson Pond is owned by Nelson, August (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Nelson Pond built?

Nelson Pond was completed in 1957, making it 69 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 Nelson Pond?

Nelson Pond 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 Nelson Pond?

Nelson Pond has a dam height of 16 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 Nelson Pond last inspected?

Nelson Pond was last inspected on August 22, 2014. 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.