Grand Rapids is a gravity dam located in Itasca County, Minnesota, built in 1916. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 21 ft21 ft tall and 235 ft long. 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 Grand Rapids
The primary purpose of Grand Rapids is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Allete, Inc. (private). It impounds the Mississippi River near Grand Rapids.
The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 235 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 465 acres, has a storage capacity of 4,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3,370 square miles. Completed in 1916, the structure is over a century old.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/20/2022.
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Location
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Itasca |
| Nearest City | Grand Rapids |
| River/Stream | Mississippi River |
| Coordinates | 47.23180, -93.53150 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Height | 21 ft |
| Dam Length | 235 ft |
| Year Completed | 1916 (110 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 4,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 465 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3,370 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 8,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Allete, Inc. |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 09/20/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MN00602 |
| Federal ID | MN00602 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |