Stephens Dam; Wilbur dam
Stephens Dam; Wilbur
Stephens Dam in Wilbur, North Dakota, stands as a testament to effective water resource management. Completed in 1984, this private earth dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond maintenance. With a height of 23 feet and a storage capacity of 127 acre-feet, Stephens Dam ensures a reliable water supply for the surrounding area.
Managed by the North Dakota State Water Commission, Stephens Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, the dam has undergone structural modifications in 1990 to enhance its safety measures. The dam's condition remains unrated, but its location on the Missouri River tributary guarantees vital water resources for the region.
While Stephens Dam may not have outlet gates or associated structures, its importance in water resource management cannot be understated. With a surface area of 6.7 acres and a drainage area of 1.22 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in sustaining the local ecosystem. As climate change continues to impact water availability, the efficient operation and regulation of dams like Stephens Dam are essential for ensuring water security in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Stephens Dam; Wilbur -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Knife River At Hazen | 51 cfs | → |
| Square Butte Creek Below Center | 1 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek At Zap | 13 cfs | → |
| Sweetbriar Creek Nr Judson | 2 cfs | → |
| Knife River Nr Golden Valley | 9 cfs | → |
| Heart River Nr Mandan | 70 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stephens Dam; Wilbur.
Boat launches
- State Highway 200 Alternate Mercer County
- State Highway 200 Alternate Oliver County
- Hatchery Road Mclean County
- 35th Avenue Southwest Oliver County
- Government Bay Boat Ramp Mclean County
- Oliver County
Campgrounds
- Lake Sakakawea Sp - Fishing Point
- Hazen Bay Rec Area Campground
- Douglas Creek - Coe
- Sweetbriar Lake-Northwest Ramp - Nd Gfd
- Sweet Briar Lake
- Sweetbriar Lake - Southeast Ramp - Nd Gfd
Paddle runs
Track Stephens Dam; Wilbur 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 Stephens Dam; Wilbur
Where does the data for Stephens Dam; Wilbur 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 Stephens Dam; Wilbur.