Des Lacs Dam 6 (Nwr) dam
Des Lacs Dam 6 (Nwr)
Des Lacs Dam 6, located in Ward, North Dakota, is a Federal-owned Earth dam completed in 1936 by the USBS. This dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond on the Des Lacs River, with a height of 9.4 feet and a length of 1535 feet. It has a normal storage capacity of 380 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 1650 acre-feet, making it a vital resource for managing water levels and supporting local wildlife habitats. Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential, the dam is classified as a moderate risk (3) due to its age and condition assessment not being rated.
Managed by the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Des Lacs Dam 6 plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and enhancing ecological diversity in the region. It operates with an uncontrolled spillway and vertical lift outlet gates, ensuring effective water release and management during times of high flow. While the dam has not been recently inspected or had its Emergency Action Plan (EAP) updated, it remains a key structure in maintaining the balance of the Des Lacs River ecosystem.
Overall, Des Lacs Dam 6 stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management and wildlife preservation efforts in North Dakota. With its strategic location and design, this dam serves as a valuable asset in maintaining the health of the Des Lacs River and supporting the diverse array of flora and fauna that depend on its waters. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the upkeep and management of structures like Des Lacs Dam 6 will be essential in safeguarding the environment for future generations.
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 Des Lacs Dam 6 (Nwr) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Souris River Nr Sherwood | 99 cfs | → |
| Des Lacs River At Foxholm | 0 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Foxholm | 0 cfs | → |
| White Earth River At White Earth | 33 cfs | → |
| Souris River Above Minot | 10 cfs | → |
| E. Fork Shell Creek Nr Parshall | 13 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Des Lacs Dam 6 (Nwr).
Boat launches
- State Highway 28 Renville County
- County Road 26 Renville County
- 73rd Street Northwest Renville County
- County Highway 6 Ward County
- 104th Street Northwest 7131, Burke County
Track Des Lacs Dam 6 (Nwr) 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 Des Lacs Dam 6 (Nwr)
Where does the data for Des Lacs Dam 6 (Nwr) 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 Des Lacs Dam 6 (Nwr).