Potato Lake, located in Hubbard County, Minnesota, is a man-made reservoir with a gravity dam that was completed in 1939.
Wind
Humidity
The dam stands at 9 feet tall and has a hydraulic height of 3.2 feet, providing a maximum storage capacity of 90,376 acre-feet. The lake covers an area of 2,100 acres and serves as a vital water resource for the region, with a drainage area of 216.7 square miles and a maximum discharge rate of 1,000 cubic feet per second into the Fish Hook River.
Maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Potato Lake is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state agencies to ensure its safe operation. Despite having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition was last assessed as satisfactory in 2015, with an inspection frequency of every 8 years. The reservoir's primary purpose is listed as "Other," suggesting that it may serve various functions beyond water storage, making it a unique and versatile asset within the local ecosystem.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate in the area can appreciate Potato Lake not only for its structural and operational details but also for its ecological significance. As a state-regulated water body in a picturesque setting, Potato Lake offers a valuable case study for understanding the intersection of human infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and sustainable water management practices in the region.
Year Completed |
1939 |
Dam Length |
55 |
Dam Height |
6 |
River Or Stream |
FISH HOOK RIVER |
Primary Dam Type |
Gravity |
Surface Area |
2100 |
Hydraulic Height |
3.2 |
Drainage Area |
216.7 |
Nid Storage |
90376 |
Structural Height |
9 |
Hazard Potential |
Low |
Foundations |
Unlisted/Unknown |
Nid Height |
9 |
Straight River Near Park Rapids
|
46cfs |
Crow Wing River At Nimrod
|
279cfs |
Mississippi River Near Bemidji
|
169cfs |
Crow Wing River Near Pillager
|
742cfs |
Mississippi River At Brainerd
|
972cfs |
Wild Rice River At Twin Valley
|
85cfs |