Little Falls
Little Falls is a gravity dam located in Morrison County, Minnesota, built in 1914. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Little Falls
The primary purpose of Little 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 Allete, Inc. (private). It impounds the Mississippi River near Little Falls.
The dam stands 30 feet tall and stretches 900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 576 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,780 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 11,450 square miles. Completed in 1914, the structure is over a century old.
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 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 09/19/2022.
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Location
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Morrison |
| Nearest City | Little Falls |
| River/Stream | Mississippi River |
| Coordinates | 45.97511, -94.36883 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Height | 30 ft |
| Dam Length | 900 ft |
| Year Completed | 1914 (112 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,780 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 4,780 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,147 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 576 acres |
| Drainage Area | 11,450 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 54,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Allete, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/19/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MN00600 |
| Federal ID | MN00600 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |