Thief Lake
Thief Lake is a gravity dam located in Marshall County, Minnesota, built in 1931. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Thief Lake
The primary purpose of Thief 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-wildlife (state). It impounds the Thief River near Thief River Falls.
The dam stands 19 feet tall and stretches 70 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 7,430 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 63,900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 280 square miles. Completed in 1931, 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 08/02/2018.
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Location
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Marshall |
| Nearest City | Thief River Falls |
| River/Stream | Thief River |
| Coordinates | 48.48845, -95.94951 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 19 ft |
| Dam Height | 13 ft |
| Dam Length | 70 ft |
| Year Completed | 1931 (95 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 63,900 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 63,900 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 35,500 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 7,430 acres |
| Drainage Area | 280 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 3,190 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Fish and Wildlife Pond |
| Owner | MNDNR-Wildlife |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/02/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MN00218 |
| Federal ID | MN00218 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |