Katz Dam dam
Katz Dam
Katz Dam, also known as Benzi Dam, is a masonry structure located in North Dakota along Painted Woods Creek. Built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this dam is primarily used for recreation purposes and stands at a height of 12.5 feet. With a storage capacity of 80 acre-feet and a surface area of 15 acres, Katz Dam serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities in McLean County.
Managed by local government authorities, Katz Dam is regulated by the North Dakota State Water Commission. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. With an uncontrolled spillway type and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam poses a moderate risk to the surrounding area. The last inspection of Katz Dam was conducted in April 2016, with no specific details provided on its condition or any emergency action plans in place.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the history and current status of Katz Dam can appreciate its unique design features, such as its buttress core type and soil foundation. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, its location and purpose make it an important part of the local landscape. With a focus on recreation and a relatively small drainage area of 200 acres, Katz Dam remains a key feature in the McLean County water infrastructure.
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 Katz Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Square Butte Creek Below Center | 1 cfs | → |
| Burnt Creek Nr Bismarck | 1 cfs | → |
| Heart River Nr Mandan | 70 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Bismarck | 17,400 cfs | → |
| Sweetbriar Creek Nr Judson | 2 cfs | → |
| Knife River At Hazen | 51 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Katz Dam.
Boat launches
- Mclean County
- Oliver County
- State Highway 200 Alternate Washburn
- State Highway 200 Alternate Oliver County
- River Road Oliver County
Campgrounds
- Crown Butte Dam
- Sweet Briar Lake
- Sweetbriar Lake-Northwest Ramp - Nd Gfd
- Sweetbriar Lake - Southeast Ramp - Nd Gfd
- Lake Sakakawea Sp - Fishing Point
Paddle runs
Track Katz 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 Katz Dam
Where does the data for Katz 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 Katz Dam.