Bear Lake
Bear Lake is an earth dam located in Freeborn County, Minnesota, built in 1941. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Bear Lake
The primary purpose of Bear Lake is fish and wildlife pond. The dam creates habitat for fish and wildlife, supporting local ecosystems and potentially serving conservation goals. The dam is owned by Mndnr-fisheries (state). It impounds the Lime Creek near Leland, Iowa.
The dam stands 8 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 1,149 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,500 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 39 square miles. Completed in 1941, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 06/28/2022.
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Location
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Freeborn |
| Nearest City | Leland, Iowa |
| River/Stream | Lime Creek |
| Coordinates | 43.52936, -93.49466 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 8 ft |
| Dam Height | 7 ft |
| Dam Length | 500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1941 (85 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,500 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,500 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,900 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 1,149 acres |
| Drainage Area | 39 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 4,900 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fish and Wildlife Pond |
| Owner | MNDNR-Fisheries |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/28/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MN00684 |
| Federal ID | MN00684 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |