Sheyenne Dam dam
Sheyenne Dam
Located in Eddy, North Dakota, Sheyenne Dam stands as a testament to WPA's design and construction in 1936. This local government-owned earth dam, standing at a height of 9 feet and stretching 300 feet in length, serves primarily for recreational purposes on the Sheyenne River. With a storage capacity of 130 acre-feet and a surface area of 25 acres, the dam provides a serene and picturesque setting for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore.
The dam, regulated by the NDSWC, has undergone structural modifications in 1953, 1980, and 2008 to ensure its continued safety and functionality. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, with a drainage area of 1830 square miles. The spillway, which is uncontrolled, has a width of 143 feet to manage any excess water flow. While the dam has not been rated for its current condition, it is regularly inspected by the state agency to maintain its integrity and safety standards.
For those interested in water resource management and climate impact, Sheyenne Dam offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the intersection of engineering, nature, and recreation. With its historical significance, ongoing maintenance, and environmental considerations, the dam provides a valuable case study for understanding the role of dams in sustainable water management practices. As a focal point on the scenic Sheyenne River, this earth dam invites visitors to explore and appreciate the beauty and functionality of this essential infrastructure.
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 Sheyenne Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sheyenne River Nr Warwick | 245 cfs | → |
| James River Nr Grace City | 28 cfs | → |
| Little Coulee Nr Leeds | 9 cfs | → |
| James River Above Arrowwood Lake Nr Kensal | 36 cfs | → |
| Starkweather Coulee Nr Webster | 22 cfs | → |
| Edmore Coulee Trib Nr Webster | 35 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sheyenne Dam.
Track Sheyenne 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 Sheyenne Dam
Where does the data for Sheyenne 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 Sheyenne Dam.