Sandy Lake Dam Construction Complete

By Elizabeth Stoeckmann

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District

February 3, 2023

Corps announces construction complete for Sandy Lake Dam Rehabilitation project.
(Courtesy photo)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, announces all major components of the Sandy Lake Dam Rehabilitation project are now complete.

Sandy Lake Dam is located near McGregor, Minnesota.

The Sandy Lake Dam Rehabilitation started in February 2021 and consisted of a series of upgrades to the existing dam structure including replacement of a deteriorated bulkhead wall in the lock chamber, replacement of six main water control gates installation of a new slide gate in the log sluice chamber; removal and replacement of the 130-year-old timber upstream apron (upgraded to concrete); and updated electrical service.

Additional rehabilitation project work includes clean-up and grounds restoration expected for Spring 2023.

The Sandy Lake Recreation Area will reopen for public camping on May 1, 2023, following a two-year closure due to rehabilitation construction on the Sandy Lake Dam. Reservations are now accepted and are required to camp. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance, up to the same day of, your planned arrival by going online to www.recreation.gov or calling 1-877-444-6777.

The recreation area includes access to the north campground boat landing, visitors center, and fishing areas. An automated fee machine has been installed by the park office for purchasing boat launch, dump station and the Interagency suite of passes, for use at the Sandy Lake Recreation Area. The fee machine accepts credit cards only. The Corps of Engineers will no longer accept cash or checks. This system provides a quick, easy, and hygienic way to pay use fees at the site. Transactions usually take less than 30 seconds to complete, and visitors should place receipts or passes in a visible manner on their vehicle dash.

The Corps of Engineers is the nation’s leading federal providers of outdoor recreation. The St. Paul District operates 49 recreation areas, ranging from public boat landings along the Mississippi River to visitor centers at our locks and dams to full-service campgrounds. We also lease 45 recreation areas to other public entities to manage.

Share this article ...

America's Engineers: The People, Programs, and Projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ® is published by American Conference & Event Media, LLC.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

American Conference & Event Media, LLC., and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any person or company for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident, or any other cause whatsoever. The views and opinions in the articles or advertisement are to be taken as the official expression of the publisher, staff, or writers, unless so stated. Neither the publisher nor USACE warrant, either expressly or by implication, the factual accuracy of the articles or advertisements herein, nor so they so warrant any view or opinions offered by the authors of said articles.

Permission to use various images and text in the publication and on this website was obtained from USACE or U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and its agencies, and in no was is used to imply an endorsement by USACE nor any DOD entity for any claims or representations therein. None of the advertising contained herein implies USACE or DOD endorsement of any private entity or enterprise. This is not a U.S. government publication or website.