Pipestem Dam dam
Pipestem Dam
Pipestem Dam, also known as Pipestem Lake, in Jamestown, North Dakota, is a federal-owned structure managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Completed in 1974, the earth dam primarily serves the purpose of flood risk reduction along Pipestem Creek. With a hydraulic height of 99 feet and a structural height of 110 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 181,650 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 855 acres. Despite its reliability in reducing floods, the dam poses a high hazard potential due to the downstream consequences in Jamestown and Lamoure from potential spillway damage during extreme events.
To mitigate risks, the USACE is actively implementing measures to enhance the dam's safety. A Dam Safety Modification Study conducted in 2020 identified the need for spillway modifications, scheduled to begin in 2023 and conclude by the end of 2026. These modifications aim to make the spillway more resistant to erosion during large water releases, thereby reducing the likelihood of catastrophic flooding in downstream communities. Additionally, the USACE encourages the public to stay informed about flood risks, monitor weather forecasts, and have evacuation plans in place to minimize individual risks during flood events.
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 Pipestem Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River At Jamestown | 325 cfs | → |
| Pipestem Creek Nr Pingree | 25 cfs | → |
| James River Above Arrowwood Lake Nr Kensal | 36 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River Below Baldhill Dam | 673 cfs | → |
| Baldhill Creek Nr Dazey | 29 cfs | → |
| James River Nr Grace City | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pipestem Dam.
Boat launches
- Stutsman County
- 30th Street Southeast Stutsman County
- 83rd Avenue Southeast Stutsman County
- Hehn-Schaffer Lake Boating Access
- 90th Avenue Southeast Adrian
Track Pipestem 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 Pipestem Dam
Where does the data for Pipestem 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 High 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 Pipestem Dam.