Mcgregor Dam dam
Mcgregor Dam
Mcgregor Dam, also known as Spangrud Dam, is a state-owned structure located in McGregor, North Dakota. Completed in 1967 by the North Dakota State Water Commission (NDSWC), this earth dam stands at a height of 43 feet and spans a length of 900 feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, particularly for fish and wildlife pond activities, with a normal storage capacity of 742.4 acre-feet and a total storage of 1490.3 acre-feet.
Despite its recreational benefits, Mcgregor Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its poor condition assessment as of April 2021. The dam is regulated and inspected by the NDSWC, with enforcement and permitting authority granted by the state of North Dakota. With a spillway width of 45 feet and an uncontrolled spillway type, the dam has a risk assessment rating of moderate (3). Emergency action plans are in place, although they may need updating to meet current guidelines.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Mcgregor Dam will find it to be a significant structure in the White Earth Creek-TR watershed, providing both recreational opportunities and potential risks to the surrounding area. The dam's association with the NDSWC and its location in Williams County, North Dakota, make it a key site for understanding water management practices and the importance of maintaining infrastructure for both public safety and environmental conservation in the region.
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 Mcgregor Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White Earth River At White Earth | 26 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Nr Noonan | 6 cfs | → |
| Little Muddy River Bl Cow Creek Nr Williston | 21 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Sherwood | 27 cfs | → |
| E. Fork Shell Creek Nr Parshall | 13 cfs | → |
| Bear Den Creek Nr Mandaree | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mcgregor Dam.
Boat launches
- Tioga Dam Boating Access
- Smishek Lake Boating Access
- White Earth Dam Boating Access
- Powers Lake Boating Access
- Church Street Ray
- County Road 5 Burke County
Track Mcgregor 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 Mcgregor Dam
Where does the data for Mcgregor 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 High 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 Mcgregor Dam.