Pisgah

Ottertail River· Otter Tail, Minnesota· Built 1918· Gravity· 26 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Pisgah is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1918 and is 108 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 26 ft (taller than 74.2% in MN)
Dam Length493 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage250 acre-ft
Normal Storage200 acre-ft
Surface Area70 acres
Drainage Area1,355 sq mi
Max Discharge2,430 cfs
Year Completed1918 (108 years old)
NID IDMN00197

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: September 22, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

Otter Tail Power Company

Public Utility

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pisgah?

Pisgah 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 Pisgah?

Pisgah is owned by Otter Tail Power Company (Public Utility). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pisgah built?

Pisgah was completed in 1918, making it 108 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 Pisgah?

Pisgah serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, 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 Pisgah?

Pisgah has a dam height of 26 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 Pisgah last inspected?

Pisgah was last inspected on September 22, 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.