List of dams and reservoirs in Minnesota facts for kids
Minnesota is home to over 1,250 dams! These amazing structures help control water, create electricity, and offer fun places for recreation. A dam is a barrier built across a river to hold back water, forming a reservoir (a large, artificial lake). This article will tell you about some of the most important dams and reservoirs in Minnesota. Many of these dams are managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) or the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
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What Do Dams Do?
Dams serve many important purposes. They can:
- Generate electricity: Many dams use the power of flowing water to create hydroelectricity. This is a clean way to make power.
- Control floods: Dams can hold back large amounts of water during heavy rains, preventing floods downstream.
- Provide water supply: Reservoirs behind dams can store water for cities and farms to use.
- Create recreation areas: The lakes formed by dams are great for boating, fishing, and swimming.
- Help with navigation: Some dams have "locks" that allow boats to move between different water levels on a river.
Important Dams in Minnesota
Minnesota has many notable dams. Here are some examples and what they are used for:
Dams for Hydroelectricity
Many dams in Minnesota help produce electricity.
- The Bemidji Dam on the Upper Mississippi River was built in 1907. It helps make electricity for the area.
- The Blanchard Dam and Blandin Dam are also on the Mississippi River. They were built in the 1920s and are important for power generation.
- The Fond du Lac Dam on the St. Louis River is a mix of arch and earth dam types. It's quite tall at 80 feet (24 meters) and makes a lot of electricity.
- The International Falls Dam is special because it sits on the border with Canada! It helps control the water levels of Rainy Lake and generates power.
- The St. Croix Falls Dam is another border dam, located between Minnesota and Wisconsin. It's a large dam that produces a lot of hydroelectric power.
- The Zumbro Lake Dam near Rochester, built in 1919, is also a key hydroelectric plant.
Dams for Flood Control and Recreation
Some dams are built mainly to manage water levels and create fun places for people.
- The Coon Rapids Dam on the Mississippi River is a popular spot for recreation, even though it doesn't make electricity. It was updated in 2010.
- The Dead Lake Dam and Deer Lake Dam are managed by the MNDNR and are important for recreation in their areas.
- The Lac qui Parle Dam on the Minnesota River is a big dam used mainly for flood control. It helps protect communities from high water.
- The Leech Lake Dam and Pokegama Lake Dam are on the Mississippi River system. They help control floods and are popular for recreation.
- The Lower Red Lake Dam is a large earth dam that helps control floods and provides water for the Red Lake River.
- The Orwell Dam on the Otter Tail River is used for both water supply and flood control.
Locks and Dams on the Mississippi River
The Upper Mississippi River has a series of "locks and dams" that help boats travel safely. These structures create different water levels, allowing barges and other vessels to move up and down the river.
- Lock and Dam No. 1 (also called the Ford Dam) in Minneapolis is important for both hydroelectricity and navigation.
- Many other locks and dams, like Lock and Dam No. 2 near Hastings, and those further south (No. 3 through No. 8), help keep the Mississippi River open for boats and offer recreation opportunities. Some of these are on the border with Wisconsin.
Dams That Are No Longer There
Sometimes, dams are removed because they are old, damaged, or no longer needed. This can help rivers flow more naturally and benefit fish and wildlife.
- The Berning Mill Dam on the Crow River failed in 1986 and was removed.
- The Broken Down Dam on the Otter Tail River collapsed way back in 1909, but its ruins are still there for people to see.
- The Flandrau Dam on the Cottonwood River was removed in 1995 after being damaged by floods many times.
- The Meeker Island Lock and Dam on the Mississippi River was built in 1907 but became old-fashioned and was removed in 1920.
- The Minnesota Falls Dam on the Minnesota River was taken down in 2010.
- The Sandstone Dam on the Kettle River, a 20-foot tall hydropower dam built in 1908, was removed in 1999.
- The Shady Lake Dam (also known as Oronoco Dam) on the Zumbro River was removed in 2015 after it failed in 2010.
These examples show how dams can change over time, sometimes being removed to restore rivers to their natural state.
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