Cathay Dam dam
Cathay Dam
Cathay Dam, located in Wells County, North Dakota, was completed in 1920 by the SOO LINE RAILROAD and is owned by the local government. This earth dam stands at a height of 11 feet and has a length of 345 feet, with a storage capacity of 195 acre-feet. The dam, situated on Rocky Run Creek, serves a primary purpose other than flood control or water supply.
Despite being state-regulated and monitored by the North Dakota State Water Commission, the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently in a not rated condition. The spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 30 feet, and there are no outlet gates associated with the structure. The last inspection of Cathay Dam was conducted in 1979, indicating a need for updated evaluations and risk assessments to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Given its historical significance and modest risk level, Cathay Dam presents an opportunity for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore the intersection of infrastructure, regulation, and environmental stewardship. With its unique design features and low hazard potential, the dam offers a case study in the importance of ongoing maintenance and monitoring to preserve both the structure and the surrounding ecosystem. As advocates for sustainable water management, individuals interested in Cathay Dam can engage in discussions around risk mitigation strategies and the role of local governments in safeguarding critical water resources.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Cathay Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River Nr Grace City | 28 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River Above Harvey | 21 cfs | → |
| James River Above Arrowwood Lake Nr Kensal | 36 cfs | → |
| Pipestem Creek Nr Pingree | 25 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River Nr Warwick | 245 cfs | → |
| Little Coulee Nr Leeds | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cathay Dam.
Boat launches
- River Park Drive Wells County
- 30th Avenue Northeast 2380, Wells County
- 9th Street Northeast Foster County
- 42nd Avenue Southeast Kidder County
Track Cathay Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Cathay Dam
Where does the data for Cathay Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Low hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Cathay Dam.