Arlington Detention is an earth dam located in Ramsey County, Minnesota, built in 1989. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 15 ft15 ft tall and 735 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Arlington Detention
The primary purpose of Arlington Detention is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by City of St. Paul (local government). It impounds the Phalen Creek-tr near St. Paul.
The dam stands 15 feet tall and stretches 735 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 2 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 4 square miles. Completed in 1989, the structure is 37 years 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. The most recent inspection on record was 05/23/2023.
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Location
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Ramsey |
| Nearest City | St. Paul |
| River/Stream | Phalen Creek-tr |
| Coordinates | 44.98462, -93.09732 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 15 ft |
| Dam Height | 10 ft |
| Dam Length | 735 ft |
| Year Completed | 1989 (37 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 50 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 2 acres |
| Drainage Area | 4 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,800 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | City of St. Paul |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 05/23/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | MN01013 |
| Federal ID | MN01013 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |