Seitz Dam dam
Seitz Dam
Seitz Dam, also known as Lake George, is a privately owned structure located in Foster, North Dakota. Built in 2002 by SWENSON AND HAGEN, this dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the James-TR river. Standing at 7 feet tall and spanning 31 feet in length, Seitz Dam has a storage capacity of 11,700 acre-feet and a normal storage of 7,000 acre-feet, with a surface area of 540 acres and a drainage area of 33.6 square miles.
This controlled spillway dam features a spillway width of 31 feet and one vertical lift outlet gate. Despite its low hazard potential, Seitz Dam is not currently rated for its condition assessment. The risk assessment for this structure is very high, indicating the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its effectiveness in flood risk reduction. While the dam has not been modified since its completion in 2002, inspections are conducted regularly to ensure its safety and functionality.
Seitz Dam, a vital structure in the St. Paul District, plays a crucial role in managing flood risks along the James-TR river. With its strategic design and capacity, this dam serves as a key asset in protecting the surrounding area from potential inundation. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to recognize the significance of Seitz Dam in safeguarding the community and environment from the impacts of extreme weather events and flooding.
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 Seitz Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| James River Above Arrowwood Lake Nr Kensal | 36 cfs | → |
| James River Nr Grace City | 28 cfs | → |
| Pipestem Creek Nr Pingree | 25 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River Nr Warwick | 245 cfs | → |
| James River At Jamestown | 325 cfs | → |
| Baldhill Creek Nr Dazey | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Seitz Dam.
Boat launches
- 9th Street Northeast Foster County
- Eddy County
- 83rd Avenue Southeast Stutsman County
- Stutsman County
- 30th Street Southeast Stutsman County
Track Seitz 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 Seitz Dam
Where does the data for Seitz 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 Seitz Dam.