Lake Margaret Dam dam
Lake Margaret Dam
Lake Margaret Dam, located in McLean, North Dakota, was completed in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and is owned by the local government. This earth dam stands at a height of 9 feet and has a length of 605 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 140 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is for recreation, providing a surface area of 75 acres for visitors to enjoy various water activities.
Managed by the North Dakota State Water Commission (NDSWC), Lake Margaret Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its safety and compliance. The dam's spillway, of uncontrolled type, has a width of 25 feet, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment score of 3. While the dam is not currently rated for its condition, it remains a significant landmark in the region, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in its historical significance and recreational opportunities.
For those interested in exploring the intersection of water resources and climate factors, Lake Margaret Dam offers a fascinating case study in dam engineering and management. With its picturesque setting on Turtle Creek and a rich history dating back to the Great Depression era, this earth dam serves as an important recreational site while also highlighting the importance of ongoing maintenance, inspection, and risk management measures to ensure the safety of the surrounding community and ecosystem. As climate change continues to impact water resources, Lake Margaret Dam stands as a reminder of the need for sustainable water management practices in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Lake Margaret Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Square Butte Creek Below Center | 2 cfs | → |
| Knife River At Hazen | 49 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Verendrye | 30 cfs | → |
| Wintering River Nr Karlsruhe | 21 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River Above Harvey | 21 cfs | → |
| Burnt Creek Nr Bismarck | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Margaret Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
Track Lake Margaret 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 Lake Margaret Dam
Where does the data for Lake Margaret 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 Lake Margaret Dam.