Sunrise River

Sunrise River· Chisago, Minnesota· Built 1885· Gravity· 13 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Sunrise River is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1885 and is 141 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 13 ft (taller than 45.7% in MN)
Dam Length76 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage300 acre-ft
Normal Storage200 acre-ft
Surface Area20 acres
Drainage Area268 sq mi
Year Completed1885 (141 years old)
NID IDMN00539

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: April 22, 2021
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

County of Chisago

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sunrise River?

Sunrise 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 Sunrise River?

Sunrise River is owned by County of Chisago (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sunrise River built?

Sunrise River was completed in 1885, making it 141 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 Sunrise River?

Sunrise River 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 Sunrise River?

Sunrise River has a dam height of 13 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 Sunrise River last inspected?

Sunrise River was last inspected on April 22, 2021. 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.