Blanchard

About Blanchard

The primary purpose of Blanchard 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 Allete, Inc. (private). It impounds the Mississippi River near Sartell.

The dam stands 46 feet tall and stretches 4,451 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,152 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 16,358 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 11,600 square miles. Completed in 1925, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/27/2018.

At 46 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.

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