Pelican River

Pelican River· Otter Tail, Minnesota· Built 1878· Gravity· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Pelican River is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1878 and is 148 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 53.5% in MN)
Dam Length366 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage70 acre-ft
Normal Storage60 acre-ft
Surface Area40 acres
Drainage Area467 sq mi
Max Discharge1,940 cfs
Year Completed1878 (148 years old)
Year Modified1922
NID IDMN00191

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: June 14, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

Mill Pond Partners

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pelican River?

Pelican River 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 Pelican River?

Pelican River is owned by Mill Pond Partners (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pelican River built?

Pelican River was completed in 1878, making it 148 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 Pelican River?

Pelican River 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 Pelican River?

Pelican River 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 Pelican River last inspected?

Pelican River was last inspected on June 14, 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.