Corps of Engineers announces closure of County Road 33 at Lac qui Parle Emergency Spillway

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, announced today that County Road 33 over the emergency spillway at Lac qui Parle Dam near Watson, Minnesota, is closed to eastbound traffic through November 30.

County Road 33 will reopen based on weather conditions and the contractor’s ability to continue work during the winter months.

Phase 2 construction activities at the spillway have commenced at will continue through the fall. The work includes replacing the remaining 1,200 linear feet of grouted rip rap with a concrete structure. The final project is anticipated to be completed in October 2027.

Construction was previously delayed due to high water levels, which required the installation of temporary flood protection to reduce the risk of an overtopping event. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as we complete these critical repairs to ensure the continued safety and functionality of the Lac qui Parle Dam.

Lac qui Parle Dam is the dividing line between Lac qui Parle and Chippewa counties. It was constructed in 1936-1941 by the Work Progress Administration as part of the overall flood risk control project; however, it is the primary dam of the overall system. Before being transferred to the Corps of Engineers in 1950, the Minnesota Department of Conservation owned and operated the dam. After 1950, the Corps of Engineers constructed new features to the dam to assist with maintenance and operation of the dam including the addition of a gauging station, installing steel plate bulkheads within the bays and repairing the dam apron.