Skunk Creek Dam

Skunk River, Whiteface River· St. Louis, Minnesota· Built 1922· Earth· 39 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Skunk Creek Dam is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1922 and is 104 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 39 ft (taller than 92.8% in MN)
Dam Length867 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage46.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage46.9K acre-ft
Surface Area4,800 acres
Year Completed1922 (104 years old)
NID IDMN00610

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: September 30, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

Allete, Inc.

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Skunk Creek Dam?

Skunk Creek Dam 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 Skunk Creek Dam?

Skunk Creek Dam is owned by Allete, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Skunk Creek Dam built?

Skunk Creek Dam was completed in 1922, making it 104 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 Skunk Creek Dam?

Skunk Creek Dam serves the following purposes: Hydroelectric, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Skunk Creek Dam?

Skunk Creek Dam has a dam height of 39 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 Skunk Creek Dam last inspected?

Skunk Creek Dam was last inspected on September 30, 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.