Town Lake

Otter Tail River-TR· Becker, Minnesota· Built 1939· Earth· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Town Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1939 and is 87 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 30.9% in MN)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage445 acre-ft
Normal Storage445 acre-ft
Surface Area115 acres
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Year Completed1939 (87 years old)
NID IDMN01598

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 24, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Town Lake?

Town 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 Town Lake?

Town Lake is owned by information not available (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Town Lake built?

Town Lake was completed in 1939, making it 87 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 Town Lake?

Town 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 Town Lake?

Town Lake has a dam height of 10 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 Town Lake last inspected?

Town Lake was last inspected on August 24, 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.