Washburn Lake

Daggett Brook· Cass, Minnesota· Built 1936· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Washburn Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1936 and is 90 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft (taller than 8.5% in MN)
Dam Length39 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage72.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage68.2K acre-ft
Surface Area1,554 acres
Drainage Area43 sq mi
Max Discharge1,125 cfs
Year Completed1936 (90 years old)
NID IDMN00043

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: June 29, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MNDNR

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Washburn Lake?

Washburn 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 Washburn Lake?

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

When was Washburn Lake built?

Washburn Lake was completed in 1936, making it 90 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 Washburn Lake?

Washburn 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 Washburn Lake?

Washburn 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 Washburn Lake last inspected?

Washburn Lake was last inspected on June 29, 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.