Chippewa River is a gravity dam located in Pope County, Minnesota, built in 1870. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 26 ft26 ft tall and 250 ft long, taller than 55% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Chippewa River
The primary purpose of Chippewa River is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by County of Pope (local government). It impounds the Chippewa River E Branch near Terrace.
The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 13 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 180 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 105 square miles. Completed in 1870, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 | Pope |
| Nearest City | Terrace |
| River/Stream | Chippewa River E Branch |
| Coordinates | 45.51136, -95.32077 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 26 ft |
| Dam Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 250 ft |
| Year Completed | 1870 (156 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 180 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 180 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 90 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 13 acres |
| Drainage Area | 105 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 725 cfs |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | County of Pope |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/30/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MN00559 |
| Federal ID | MN00559 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |