Big Coulee Dam dam
Big Coulee Dam
Big Coulee Dam, also known as Bisbee Dam, is a local government-owned structure located in Towner, North Dakota. Completed in 1968 by the NDSWC, this earth dam stands at a height of 36 feet and stretches 1170 feet in length. With a primary purpose of recreation, the dam offers a storage capacity of 5103 acre-feet and a surface area of 240 acres, making it a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
This significant dam on the Big Coulee River is regulated by the NDSWC and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. The spillway, with a width of 205 feet, is uncontrolled, adding to the dam's hazard potential which is rated as significant. Despite its moderate risk assessment, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated, indicating a need for further evaluation. With a valve outlet gate and a history of modifications in 1985 for structural improvements, the Big Coulee Dam continues to serve its purpose while being monitored for any potential risks or issues.
Overall, the Big Coulee Dam stands as a testament to engineering ingenuity and plays a vital role in providing recreational opportunities while managing water resources in the region. With its picturesque location in Towner, North Dakota, this earth dam serves as a hub for outdoor activities and serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and inspecting critical infrastructure for the safety and well-being of the community.
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 Big Coulee Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mauvais Coulee Trib No. 3 Nr Cando | 7 cfs | → |
| Mauvais Coulee Nr Cando | 19 cfs | → |
| Little Coulee Nr Leeds | 36 cfs | → |
| Starkweather Coulee Nr Webster | 20 cfs | → |
| Edmore Coulee Nr Edmore | 33 cfs | → |
| Edmore Coulee Trib Nr Webster | 59 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Coulee Dam.
Track Big Coulee 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 Big Coulee Dam
Where does the data for Big Coulee 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 Significant 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 Big Coulee Dam.