Brown Dam dam
Brown Dam
Brown Dam, located in Barnes County, North Dakota, stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of the Civilian Conservation Corps, with its masonry structure completed in 1936. The dam, situated on the Sheyenne River, serves a primary purpose of recreation, offering tranquil waters for visitors to enjoy. With a height of 10.5 feet and a storage capacity of 180 acre-feet, Brown Dam provides a scenic backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts to explore.
Maintained by the North Dakota State Water Commission, Brown Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam underwent a structural modification in 1969 to enhance its resilience. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, measures are in place to manage any potential risks associated with the dam. Although the condition assessment is currently not rated, regular inspections are conducted to monitor the dam's performance and address any maintenance needs.
Brown Dam, with its picturesque setting and historical significance, offers a peaceful retreat for nature lovers and water resource enthusiasts alike. As one of the many structures built during the Great Depression era, this masonry dam continues to stand as a symbol of human ingenuity and dedication to preserving and utilizing water resources for the benefit of the community. Whether for recreational activities or simply enjoying the beauty of the Sheyenne River, Brown Dam remains a vital part of North Dakota's landscape and history.
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 Brown Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Maple River Nr Enderlin | 40 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River Below Baldhill Dam | 213 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River At Lisbon | 280 cfs | → |
| James River At Lamoure | 413 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Nr Oakes | 15 cfs | → |
| James River At Jamestown | 448 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Brown Dam.
Boat launches
- 109th Avenue Southeast Barnes County
- Mill Road Ransom County
- 63 1/2 Street Southeast North Dakota
- 102nd Avenue Southeast North Dakota
- 90th Avenue Southeast Adrian
- Dead Colt Dam Boating Access
Track Brown 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 Brown Dam
Where does the data for Brown 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 Brown Dam.