Thompson Wetland

Buffalo River-OS· Otter Tail, Minnesota· Built 1997· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Private

Key Takeaway

Thompson Wetland is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1997 and is 29 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 41.3% in MN)
Dam Length230 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage122 acre-ft
Normal Storage69 acre-ft
Surface Area17 acres
Drainage Area2 sq mi
Max Discharge85 cfs
Year Completed1997 (29 years old)
NID IDMN01378

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 31, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

Thompson, Eldon

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Thompson Wetland?

Thompson Wetland 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 Thompson Wetland?

Thompson Wetland is owned by Thompson, Eldon (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Thompson Wetland built?

Thompson Wetland was completed in 1997, making it 29 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 Thompson Wetland?

Thompson Wetland 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 Thompson Wetland?

Thompson Wetland has a dam height of 12 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 Thompson Wetland last inspected?

Thompson Wetland was last inspected on August 31, 2017. 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.