Willow River

Willow River· Cass, Minnesota· Built 1962· Gravity· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply State Government

Key Takeaway

Willow River is classified as low hazard in Minnesota. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 16.2% in MN)
Dam Length45 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage13.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage5.4K acre-ft
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Max Discharge1,700 cfs
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)
Year Modified1979
NID IDMN00041

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: July 31, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MNDNR EWR

Ownership

MNDNR-Fisheries

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Willow River?

Willow River 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 Willow River?

Willow River is owned by MNDNR-Fisheries (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Willow River built?

Willow River was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 Willow River?

Willow River serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Willow River?

Willow River has a dam height of 8 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 Willow River last inspected?

Willow River was last inspected on July 31, 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.