Whiteface Lake
Whiteface Lake is an earth dam located in St. Louis County, Minnesota, built in 1922. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Whiteface Lake
The primary purpose of Whiteface Lake 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 Skunk River, Whiteface River near Cotton.
The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 1,365 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 4,800 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 46,900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 116 square miles. Completed in 1922, 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. The most recent inspection on record was 07/11/2018.
At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Minnesota |
| County | St. Louis |
| Nearest City | Cotton |
| River/Stream | Skunk River, Whiteface River |
| Coordinates | 47.28150, -92.18820 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 40 ft |
| Dam Height | 39 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,365 ft |
| Year Completed | 1922 (104 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 46,900 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 46,900 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 46,900 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 4,800 acres |
| Drainage Area | 116 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,500 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Allete, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/11/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MN00610 |
| Federal ID | MN00610 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |