Spruce Creek
Spruce Creek is an earth dam located in Douglas County, Minnesota, built in 1870. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Spruce Creek
The primary purpose of Spruce Creek is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Mndnr-wildlife (state). It impounds the Spruce Creek near Spruce Center.
The dam stands 27 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 40 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 600 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 30 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 | Douglas |
| Nearest City | Spruce Center |
| River/Stream | Spruce Creek |
| Coordinates | 46.07044, -95.22124 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 27 ft |
| Dam Height | 23 ft |
| Dam Length | 500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1870 (156 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 600 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 600 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 300 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 40 acres |
| Drainage Area | 30 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 700 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | MNDNR-Wildlife |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/30/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MN00564 |
| Federal ID | MN00564 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |