Lien Dam; Leonard (North) dam
Lien Dam; Leonard (North)
Lien Dam, also known as Leonard (North) Dam, is a state-regulated earth dam located in Hettinger, North Dakota, on Indian Creek. Built in 1966 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, providing storage of 165.4 acre-feet of water and covering a surface area of 12.2 acres. With a dam height of 17 feet and a length of 415 feet, Lien Dam offers a tranquil setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities such as fishing and boating.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, Lien Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 96 feet, ensuring the safe release of excess water during heavy rainfall events. While no outlet gates or associated structures are present, the dam's stone core and soil foundation contribute to its structural integrity. The North Dakota State Water Commission oversees the regulation, inspection, and enforcement of Lien Dam, ensuring its continued safety and functionality for the surrounding community.
Overall, Lien Dam stands as a reliable water resource and recreational spot in North Dakota, offering a serene environment for visitors to connect with nature and enjoy various outdoor activities. With its strategic location on Indian Creek and the support of state regulations and oversight, Lien Dam continues to provide valuable recreational opportunities while maintaining a focus on safety and risk management for the local community.
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 Lien Dam; Leonard (North) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cannonball River At Regent | 5 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Nr Haynes | 3 cfs | → |
| Heart River Nr Richardton | 19 cfs | → |
| Heart R Ab Lake Tschida Nr Glen Ullin | 22 cfs | → |
| North Fork Grand R Near White Butte Sd | 2 cfs | → |
| Heart River Nr South Heart | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lien Dam; Leonard (North).
Track Lien Dam; Leonard (North) 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 Lien Dam; Leonard (North)
Where does the data for Lien Dam; Leonard (North) 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 Lien Dam; Leonard (North).