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Birch Lake Dam Quick Facts

Location: Lake, Minnesota
Coordinates: 47.8158, -91.7833
River: Kawishiwi River
Primary Purpose: Hydroelectric
Type: Rockfill
Commissioned: 1922
Dam Height: 7 ft (2 m)
Dam Length: 227 ft (69 m)
Dam Capacity: 39,680 acre-ft (48,944 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Satisfactory
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Birch Lake Dam Map

Birch Lake Dam Information

Birch Lake Dam is a rockfill dam located about 10 miles from Winton, Lake, Minnesota.

The dam, which is on the Kawishiwi River, was primarily built for Hydroelectric purposes, but also serves for Fish and Wildlife Pond, Recreation and Flood Risk Reduction benefits.

The dam was designed by and commissioned in 1922 and is currently owned by Allete, Inc..

Birch Lake Dam Structure

The Birch Lake Dam is approximately 227 feet (69 m) long, 7 feet (2 m) high and has a structural volume of cubic yards (0 cubic metres).

Birch Lake Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 35,200 acre-ft (43,418 Ml) and maximum capacity of 39,680 acre-ft (48,944 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 7,624 acres (3,085 ha) and the total catchment area is 1,100 square miles (2,849 square kilometres).

Birch Lake Dam Spillway

The dam spillway has a maximum discharge capacity of 11617 cubic feet per second (329 cubic metres per second).

Birch Lake Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Birch Lake Dam
Lake, Minnesota
Height (ft)
7
Length (Ft)
227
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
39,680
Drainage Area (sq miles)
1,100
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Birch Lake Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Birch Lake Dam

Parameter Value
Current Time 19:39
Sunrise 07:46
Sunset 16:14
Temperature (°F) -11
Feels Like (°F) -24
Cloud Coverage (%) 100
Pressure (inHg) 1022
Humidity (%) 70
Wind Speed (mph) 12
Rain (mm) 0

7-Day Forecast for Birch Lake Dam

Day Min Temp (°F) Max Temp (°F) Feels Like (°F) Pressure (inHg) Humidity (%) Wind Speed (mph) Wind Gust (mph) Wind Dir Precip Prob (%) Precip Volume (mm) Weather
Today -11 13 -12 1018 86 12 23 NW 100 - light snow
Thu -10 2 -14 1029 83 10 26 WNW 0 - overcast clouds
Fri -15 15 1 1036 69 9 30 SSE 0 - clear sky
Sat 15 31 21 1027 87 10 30 SSE 31 - light snow
Sun 28 33 27 1019 94 6 20 SSE 20 - light snow
Mon 22 33 28 1007 100 14 33 NW 100 - snow
Tue 11 19 7 1025 87 14 32 NW 20 - light snow
Wed 16 26 16 1023 90 11 27 ENE 100 - light snow

Birch Lake Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Birch Lake Dam?

Birch Lake Dam is in Minnesota.

In which county is the Birch Lake Dam?

Birch Lake Dam is in Lake County.

How high is the Birch Lake Dam?

Birch Lake Dam is 7 feet high.

How long is the Birch Lake Dam?

Birch Lake Dam is 227 feet long.

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More Dams in Lake County:

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Birch Lake Dam
Clear Lake Dam
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Gabbro Lake 2 Dam
Greaser Lake Reservoir Dam
Harris Bayou Inlet Structure Dam
Homestake Tailings Dam
Indian Valley Dam
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M-4 Dam
Mt. Elbert Forebay Dam
Scott Dam
Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Skq) Dam
Sugar Loaf Dam
Thompson Valley Reservoir Dam
Twin Lakes Bor Dam
Upper Green Lake Dam
Villa City Dam
Wilson Lake Dam
Wind Lake Dam
Winton Dam

Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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