Sand Hill Lake

Sand Hill River· Polk, Minnesota· Built 1956· Other· 6 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Sand Hill Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 6 ft (taller than 1.9% in MN)
Dam Length37 ft
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage4.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.9K acre-ft
Surface Area510 acres
Drainage Area8 sq mi
Max Discharge100 cfs
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDMN00227

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: October 19, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MNDNR-Fisheries

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sand Hill Lake?

Sand Hill 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 Sand Hill Lake?

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

When was Sand Hill Lake built?

Sand Hill Lake was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 Sand Hill Lake?

Sand Hill 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 Sand Hill Lake?

Sand Hill Lake has a dam height of 6 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 Sand Hill Lake last inspected?

Sand Hill Lake was last inspected on October 19, 2017. 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.