Sauk Centre
Sauk Centre is a concrete dam located in Stearns County, Minnesota, built in 1935. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Sauk Centre
The primary purpose of Sauk Centre is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Water Light And Power (public utility). It impounds the Sauk River near Sauk Center.
The dam stands 22 feet tall and stretches 92 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2,111 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 25,800 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 304 square miles. Completed in 1935, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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. The most recent inspection on record was 08/30/2021.
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Location
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Stearns |
| Nearest City | Sauk Center |
| River/Stream | Sauk River |
| Coordinates | 45.74023, -94.95207 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| NID Height | 22 ft |
| Dam Height | 18 ft |
| Dam Length | 92 ft |
| Year Completed | 1935 (91 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 25,800 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 25,800 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 18,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2,111 acres |
| Drainage Area | 304 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,100 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Water Light and Power |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/30/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MN00967 |
| Federal ID | MN00967 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |