Cannon River (woolen Mills)

Cannon River (woolen Mills) is a gravity dam located in Rice County, Minnesota, built in 1865. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Cannon River (woolen Mills)

The primary purpose of Cannon River (woolen Mills) is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by City Of Faribault (local government). It impounds the Cannon River near Faribault.

The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 650 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 54 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 332 square miles. Completed in 1865, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half of service.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 05/04/2023.

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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateMinnesota
CountyRice
Nearest CityFaribault
River/StreamCannon River
Coordinates44.30819, -93.27344

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeGravity
NID Height12 ft
Dam Height6 ft
Dam Length650 ft
Year Completed1865 (161 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage1,100 acre-ft
Max Storage1,100 acre-ft
Normal Storage750 acre-ft
Surface Area54 acres
Drainage Area332 sq mi
Max Discharge810 cfs

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerCity of Faribault
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection05/04/2023
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDMN00354
Federal IDMN00354
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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