What Public Utilities get marked with Gopher State?

When planning any sort of project that involves digging, it is important to make sure all underground utilities are coordinated to be marked prior to the work being done.

Minnesota law requires that anyone planning to dig notify Gopher State One Call (GSOC) at least 48 hours (not including weekends or holidays) before excavation begins. This is often done simply by dialing 811 or submitting an online request. It’s free, and it’s the law. 

What Utilities Are Marked by Gopher State One Call?

When you submit a locate request to GSOC, they notify public utility operators in your area. Those operators then send locators to your property to mark their buried lines so you can dig safely.

These public utilities are typically marked using standard color codes. Here’s what you can expect:

White - Proposed excavation area

Red - Electrical power lines

Yellow - Gas, oil, steam, propane

Orange - Communications — phone, cable, fiber

Blue - Water lines

Green - Sewer and drain lines

Purple - Reclaimed water and irrigation

These markings help you see where public utility lines are buried so you can avoid hitting them. They may use stakes, flags, or spray paint directly on the ground.

It’s important to understand that not everything underground gets marked through Gopher State One Call. 

Utilities that are private or customer-owned typically are not registered with GSOC and they won’t be marked unless you hire a private locator or locate them yourself.

Examples of common private utilities that won’t be marked include:

• Power lines serving outbuildings, sheds, or garages (beyond the meter)

• Gas lines to grills, pool heaters, or propane tanks

• Invisible pet fences or low-voltage landscape lighting

• Sprinkler system lines

• Septic system lines

• Private water systems, geothermal loops, or drain tile

• Data and fiber cables installed after utility main lines

  
  

Calling Gopher State One Call (811) before you dig isn’t just smart,  it’s required by law in Minnesota and can save you from costly, dangerous utility strikes. Public utilities like water, gas, electric, sewer, and communications will be marked, but private systems often won’t be unless you take extra steps.