Welch Lake

TR-POPPLE RIVER· Itasca, Minnesota· Built 1973· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Welch Lake is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1973 and is 53 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 25.1% in MN)
Dam Length700 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage163 acre-ft
Normal Storage85 acre-ft
Surface Area23 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge40 cfs
Year Completed1973 (53 years old)
NID IDMN00652

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: May 25, 2017
State Regulated: No

Ownership

USDA FS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Fiske Lake

Itasca, MN

Low Hazard 12 ft

Eel Lake

Itasca, MN

Low Hazard 9 ft

Clover Leaf

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Low Hazard 15 ft

Dishpan Wma Impoundment 2

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Low Hazard 9 ft

Koochiching Wetland

Koochiching, MN

Low Hazard 20 ft

Dishpan Lake

Itasca, MN

Low Hazard 11 ft

Shogren

Itasca, MN

Low Hazard 8 ft

Bowstring

Itasca, MN

Low Hazard 8 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Welch Lake?

Welch 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 Welch Lake?

Welch Lake is owned by USDA FS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Welch Lake built?

Welch Lake was completed in 1973, making it 53 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 Welch Lake?

Welch 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 Welch Lake?

Welch Lake has a dam height of 9 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 Welch Lake last inspected?

Welch Lake was last inspected on May 25, 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.