Sandy Lock and Dam

SANDY RIVER· Aitkin, Minnesota· Built 1895· Earth· 14 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Sandy Lock and Dam is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1895 and is 131 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 48.1% in MN)
Dam Length109 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage79.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage38.0K acre-ft
Surface Area9,400 acres
Drainage Area421 sq mi
Max Discharge3,738 cfs
Year Completed1895 (131 years old)
NID IDMN00583

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: June 2, 2022
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USACE - St. Paul District

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sandy Lock and Dam?

Sandy Lock and Dam 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 Sandy Lock and Dam?

Sandy Lock and Dam is owned by USACE - St. Paul District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sandy Lock and Dam built?

Sandy Lock and Dam was completed in 1895, making it 131 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 Sandy Lock and Dam?

Sandy Lock and Dam serves the following purposes: Other, Navigation, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation, Water Supply, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Sandy Lock and Dam?

Sandy Lock and Dam has a dam height of 14 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 Sandy Lock and Dam last inspected?

Sandy Lock and Dam was last inspected on June 2, 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.