St. Louis River

St. Louis River· St. Louis, Minnesota· Built 1963· Gravity· 19 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Private

Key Takeaway

St. Louis River is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1963 and is 63 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 19 ft (taller than 59.4% in MN)
Dam Length126 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage2.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage600 acre-ft
Drainage Area716 sq mi
Max Discharge26,000 cfs
Year Completed1963 (63 years old)
NID IDMN00094

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 5, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

Oglebay Norton Co

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of St. Louis River?

St. Louis 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 St. Louis River?

St. Louis River is owned by Oglebay Norton Co (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was St. Louis River built?

St. Louis River was completed in 1963, making it 63 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 St. Louis River?

St. Louis River serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is St. Louis River?

St. Louis River has a dam height of 19 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 St. Louis River last inspected?

St. Louis River was last inspected on October 5, 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.