Ramsey

Cedar River· Mower, Minnesota· Built 1872· Gravity· 13 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Ramsey is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1872 and is 154 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 13 ft (taller than 45.7% in MN)
Dam Length138 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage340 acre-ft
Normal Storage250 acre-ft
Surface Area53 acres
Drainage Area183 sq mi
Max Discharge525 cfs
Year Completed1872 (154 years old)
NID IDMN00527

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: May 22, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

Hormel, George

Private

Nearby Dams

Cedar River

Mower, MN

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Dobbins Creek

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Low Hazard 12 ft

Hull

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Low Hazard 16 ft

Red Rock 27

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Low Hazard 7 ft

Red Rock 14

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Low Hazard 17 ft

Red Rock 26

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Red Rock 36 South

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Kiser Ds Site 2

Mower, MN

Low Hazard 18 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Ramsey?

Ramsey 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 Ramsey?

Ramsey is owned by Hormel, George (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Ramsey built?

Ramsey was completed in 1872, making it 154 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 Ramsey?

Ramsey 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 Ramsey?

Ramsey has a dam height of 13 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 Ramsey last inspected?

Ramsey was last inspected on May 22, 2018. 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.