Granite Falls
Granite Falls is a gravity dam located in Chippewa County, Minnesota, built in 1911. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Granite Falls
The primary purpose of Granite Falls is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Granite Falls, City Of (local government). It impounds the Minnesota River near Granite Falls.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 300 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 52 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 252 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6,370 square miles. Completed in 1911, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/08/2018.
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Location
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Chippewa |
| Nearest City | Granite Falls |
| River/Stream | Minnesota River |
| Coordinates | 44.85000, -95.51670 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 300 ft |
| Year Completed | 1911 (115 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 252 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 252 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 252 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 52 acres |
| Drainage Area | 6,370 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 36,800 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Granite Falls, City of |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/08/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MN00510 |
| Federal ID | MN00510 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |