Sarnia Dam dam
Sarnia Dam
Sarnia Dam, located in Nelson, North Dakota, is a crucial structure designed by SWC & USDA NRCS for flood risk reduction on the Middle Branch Forest River. Completed in 1936, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 20 feet and stretches 500 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 1610 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam is state-regulated by NDSWC and undergoes regular inspections, enforcement, and permitting to ensure its structural integrity.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 100 feet and has not been modified since 1981. Although it lacks outlet gates, Sarnia Dam serves its primary purpose effectively and has a normal storage capacity of 1 acre-foot. The surrounding area has a drainage area of 26.6 square miles, contributing to its flood risk reduction efforts. With a congressman representative of Kelly Armstrong (R), the dam plays a crucial role in protecting the local community from potential water-related disasters.
Sarnia Dam, a locally owned structure in North Dakota, exemplifies the importance of water resource management and climate resilience. As water enthusiasts and climate advocates, it is essential to recognize the significance of such infrastructure in safeguarding communities and natural ecosystems against the impacts of flooding. With its strategic location and efficient design, Sarnia Dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of government agencies and designers in mitigating flood risks and ensuring the safety of the surrounding area.
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 Sarnia Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Forest River Nr Fordville | 89 cfs | → |
| Edmore Coulee Trib Nr Webster | 119 cfs | → |
| Edmore Coulee Nr Edmore | 68 cfs | → |
| Turtle River At Turtle R State Park Nr Arvilla | 25 cfs | → |
| Forest River At Minto | 132 cfs | → |
| Park River At Grafton | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sarnia Dam.
Boat launches
- Whitman Dam
- 54th Street Northeast Walsh County
- County Road 14 Walsh County
- 35th Avenue Northeast Grand Forks County
- Bylin Dam
- 132nd Avenue Northeast Walsh County
Track Sarnia 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 Sarnia Dam
Where does the data for Sarnia 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 Sarnia Dam.