Zahn Dam; Joseph dam
Zahn Dam; Joseph
Zahn Dam, located in North Dakota along Brush Creek-TR, was completed in 1964 with a primary purpose of flood risk reduction. Designed by USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 17.1 feet and stretches 290 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 70 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, this structure is under the regulatory jurisdiction of NDSWC and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
The dam, owned by a private entity, has a spillway width of 120 feet and a surface area of 14.3 acres, serving as a critical infrastructure for managing water resources in Oliver County. Despite being uncontrolled, the spillway ensures the safe release of excess water during periods of high flow. With a condition assessment of "Not Rated" and no emergency action plan in place, the dam's risk management measures are currently unspecified.
With its strategic location and capacity to mitigate flood risks in the region, Zahn Dam; Joseph plays a vital role in safeguarding communities and infrastructure from potential water-related disasters. As a key component of the local water resource management system, the dam's design, construction, and regulatory oversight ensure its effectiveness in preserving the surrounding environment and enhancing climate resilience.
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 Zahn Dam; Joseph -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Knife River At Hazen | 50 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek At Zap | 14 cfs | → |
| Knife River Nr Golden Valley | 10 cfs | → |
| Square Butte Creek Below Center | 1 cfs | → |
| Sweetbriar Creek Nr Judson | 2 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy Creek Near Almont | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Zahn Dam; Joseph.
Boat launches
- State Highway 200 Alternate Mercer County
- 35th Avenue Southwest Oliver County
- Oliver County
- State Highway 200 Alternate Oliver County
- Beaver Creek Bay Boat Ramp
- Mercer County
Campgrounds
- North City Park
- Sweetbriar Lake-Northwest Ramp - Nd Gfd
- Sweet Briar Lake
- Sweetbriar Lake - Southeast Ramp - Nd Gfd
- Hazen Bay Rec Area Campground
- Camp Site 4
Paddle runs
Track Zahn Dam; Joseph 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 Zahn Dam; Joseph
Where does the data for Zahn Dam; Joseph 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 Zahn Dam; Joseph.