Sturgeon Lake

Sturgeon River· St. Louis, Minnesota· Built 1936· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Sturgeon Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1936 and is 90 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 8.5% in MN)
Dam Length75 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage75.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage65.6K acre-ft
Surface Area2,050 acres
Drainage Area49 sq mi
Max Discharge1,690 cfs
Year Completed1936 (90 years old)
NID IDMN00095

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

MNDNR

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sturgeon Lake?

Sturgeon 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 Sturgeon Lake?

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

When was Sturgeon Lake built?

Sturgeon Lake was completed in 1936, making it 90 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 Sturgeon Lake?

Sturgeon 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 Sturgeon Lake?

Sturgeon 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 Sturgeon Lake last inspected?

Sturgeon Lake 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.