Knopik Dam; Francis dam
Knopik Dam; Francis
Knopik Dam; Francis, located in Stark County, North Dakota, is a private earth dam designed by USFWS for the primary purpose of serving as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Completed in 2012, this dam stands at a height of 9.9 feet and has a storage capacity of 95 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 40.6 acre-feet. Situated on Coal Mine Creek, it covers a surface area of 15 acres and features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 80 feet.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Knopik Dam; Francis is regulated by the North Dakota State Water Commission and undergoes regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement. Although the dam's condition is currently not rated, it meets state jurisdiction requirements and is equipped with emergency action plans. The surrounding area benefits from this dam as it provides essential water resources for fish and wildlife conservation efforts.
Knopik Dam; Francis presents a unique opportunity for water resource and climate enthusiasts to witness the intersection of human engineering with environmental conservation. As an integral part of the local ecosystem, this dam serves as a vital habitat for various species while also contributing to water management and flood control efforts in the region. Its completion in 2012 marked a significant milestone in sustainable resource management, highlighting the importance of balancing human needs with the preservation of natural landscapes.
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 Knopik Dam; Francis -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Heart River Nr South Heart | · | → |
| Green River Nr New Hradec | 0 cfs | → |
| Little Missouri River At Medora | 56 cfs | → |
| Deep Creek Nr Amidon | 0 cfs | → |
| Knife River At Manning | 1 cfs | → |
| Heart River Nr Richardton | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Knopik Dam; Francis.
Boat launches
- 114th Avenue Southwest Stark County
- 8th Street Southwest Stark County
- 30th Avenue Southwest Stark County
Campgrounds
- Belfield Dam - Nd Gfd
- Patterson Lake Rec Area Campground
- Sully Creek State Rec Area
- Medora City Campground
- Cottonwood - Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Medora City Rv Campground
Paddle runs
- Southern Boundary Of The South Unit Of Theodore Roosevelt National Park To Northern Boundary Of The South Unit Of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- Southern Boundary Of The Elkhorn Unit Of Theodore Roosevelt National Park To Northern Boundary Of The Elkhorn Unit Of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Track Knopik Dam; Francis 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 Knopik Dam; Francis
Where does the data for Knopik Dam; Francis 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 Knopik Dam; Francis.