Whiteface Lake South Dike

Skunk River, Whiteface River· St. Louis, Minnesota· Built 1922· Earth· 36 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Whiteface Lake South Dike 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 36 ft (taller than 91% in MN)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage46.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage46.9K acre-ft
Surface Area4,800 acres
Year Completed1922 (104 years old)
NID IDMN00813

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 Whiteface Lake South Dike?

Whiteface Lake South Dike 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 Whiteface Lake South Dike?

Whiteface Lake South Dike is owned by Allete, Inc. (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Whiteface Lake South Dike built?

Whiteface Lake South Dike 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 Whiteface Lake South Dike?

Whiteface Lake South Dike 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 Whiteface Lake South Dike?

Whiteface Lake South Dike has a dam height of 36 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 Whiteface Lake South Dike last inspected?

Whiteface Lake South Dike 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.