Straight Lake

Straight River· Becker, Minnesota· Built 1942· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Straight Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1942 and is 84 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 8.5% in MN)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage2.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.9K acre-ft
Surface Area450 acres
Drainage Area36 sq mi
Max Discharge1,179 cfs
Year Completed1942 (84 years old)
Year Modified1996
NID IDMN00820

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: August 25, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MNDNR-EWR

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Straight Lake?

Straight 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 Straight Lake?

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

When was Straight Lake built?

Straight Lake was completed in 1942, making it 84 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 Straight Lake?

Straight 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 Straight Lake?

Straight Lake has a dam height of 7 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 Straight Lake last inspected?

Straight Lake was last inspected on August 25, 2016. 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.