Map of All 1,155 Minnesota Dams
Minnesota has 1,155 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 57 are classified as high hazard (5% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 1 Minnesota dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive Minnesota dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare Minnesota to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
Minnesota Dams by the Numbers
- 1,155 total dams in Minnesota
- 57 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 129 significant hazard
- 942 low hazard
- 80 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (78 poor, 2 unsatisfactory)
- 1 Minnesota dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in Minnesota
The tallest dam in Minnesota is Erie Basin 2 at 250 feet, completed in 1978. The 10 tallest Minnesota dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie Basin 2 | 250 ft | 1978 | Tailings | Satisfactory | St. Louis |
| Essar Steel Tailings Basin | 200 ft | 2011 | Tailings | Satisfactory | Itasca |
| Erie Basin 1 | 200 ft | 1978 | Tailings | Satisfactory | St. Louis |
| Poly Met Hrf Dam | 111 ft | – | Tailings | – | St. Louis |
| Hibbing Taconite Reclaim Pond | 100 ft | – | Tailings | – | St. Louis |
| Hibbing Taconite Starter No. 4 | 100 ft | – | Tailings | – | St. Louis |
| Hibbing Taconite Tailings Basin | 100 ft | – | Tailings | – | St. Louis |
| Western Hibtac | 100 ft | 1978 | Tailings | – | St. Louis |
| Hibbing Taconite Starter No. 2 | 100 ft | 1975 | Tailings | – | St. Louis |
| Northshore Mining | 100 ft | 1977 | Tailings | – | Lake |
Dam Safety in Minnesota
Dam safety in Minnesota is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in Minnesota?
Minnesota has 1,155 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 57 high hazard, 129 significant hazard, and 942 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in Minnesota?
The tallest dam in Minnesota is Erie Basin 2 at 250 feet, completed in 1978. It is primarily a tailings structure.
How many Minnesota dams are in poor condition?
80 Minnesota dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 1 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
