Des Lacs Dam 7a dam
Des Lacs Dam 7a
Des Lacs Dam 7a, located in Ward County, North Dakota, stands as a vital structure along the Des Lacs River, serving as a crucial component in the state's water resource management. Built in 1937 by the USFWS, this Federal-owned dam primarily functions as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, providing necessary habitat for local flora and fauna. With a height of 8.5 feet and a length of 2453 feet, the dam boasts a storage capacity of 4486 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 437 acres, making it a significant contributor to the region's water supply.
Despite its low hazard potential, Des Lacs Dam 7a is regulated and inspected by the North Dakota State Water Commission, ensuring its structural integrity and operational efficiency. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 86 feet and a single vertical lift outlet gate. With a moderate risk assessment rating, efforts are in place to manage potential risks associated with the dam, though its overall condition is currently not rated. As a critical infrastructure in the area, Des Lacs Dam 7a plays a key role in water conservation and management, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.
Des Lacs Dam 7a stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between federal and state agencies in overseeing water resource infrastructure. As part of the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the Des Lacs River watershed. With a focus on conservation and habitat preservation, this earth dam serves as a valuable asset for both wildlife and the local community. As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like Des Lacs Dam 7a play a vital role in ensuring the sustainability of our environment and the protection of vulnerable ecosystems.
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 7a -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Lacs River At Foxholm | 0 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Sherwood | 99 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Foxholm | 0 cfs | → |
| Souris River Above Minot | 10 cfs | → |
| White Earth River At White Earth | 33 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 7a.
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 7a 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 7a
Where does the data for Des Lacs Dam 7a 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 7a.