Velvet Lake

Pine River· Crow Wing, Minnesota· Built 1937· Gravity· 6 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Velvet Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 6 ft (taller than 1.9% in MN)
Dam Length30 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage1.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage525 acre-ft
Surface Area160 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge540 cfs
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDMN00050

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: October 7, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MNDNR

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Velvet Lake?

Velvet 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 Velvet Lake?

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

When was Velvet Lake built?

Velvet Lake was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Velvet Lake?

Velvet 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 Velvet Lake?

Velvet Lake has a dam height of 6 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 Velvet Lake last inspected?

Velvet Lake was last inspected on October 7, 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.