Swan Lake

Shakopee Creek· Kandiyohi, Minnesota· Built 1941· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Swan Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1941 and is 85 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 25.1% in MN)
Dam Length800 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage706 acre-ft
Surface Area402 acres
Drainage Area90 sq mi
Max Discharge450 cfs
Year Completed1941 (85 years old)
NID IDMN00497

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 18, 2023
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

County of Kandiyohi

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Swan Lake?

Swan 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 Swan Lake?

Swan Lake is owned by County of Kandiyohi (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Swan Lake built?

Swan Lake was completed in 1941, making it 85 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 Swan Lake?

Swan Lake serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Swan Lake?

Swan Lake has a dam height of 9 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 Swan Lake last inspected?

Swan Lake was last inspected on April 18, 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.