Upper Rice Lake

Wild Rice River· Clearwater, Minnesota· Built 1968· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

Upper Rice Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 8.5% in MN)
Dam Length26 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage14.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage11.2K acre-ft
Drainage Area14 sq mi
Max Discharge109 cfs
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
Year Modified1989
NID IDMN00231

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 1, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MNDNR-Wildlife

State Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Rice Lake?

Upper Rice 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 Upper Rice Lake?

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

When was Upper Rice Lake built?

Upper Rice Lake was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Upper Rice Lake?

Upper Rice Lake serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Upper Rice Lake?

Upper Rice 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 Upper Rice Lake last inspected?

Upper Rice Lake was last inspected on August 1, 2018. 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.