Wild Rice Dam - Cass dam
Wild Rice Dam - Cass
Wild Rice Dam in Cass County, North Dakota, is a concrete structure completed in 1934 with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam spans 140 feet in length and stands at a height of 15 feet, providing a storage capacity of 250 acre-feet for the Wild Rice River. The dam is regulated by the North Dakota State Water Commission and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
The Wild Rice Dam has a low hazard potential and is classified as having a moderate risk level. In 1990, the dam underwent structural modifications to enhance its safety and functionality. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 70 feet, and there are no outlet gates or associated locks. The surrounding area offers recreational opportunities for visitors, making it a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in exploring the Wild Rice River and its ecosystem.
With its historic construction and ongoing maintenance, Wild Rice Dam stands as a vital structure in managing water resources and providing recreational benefits to the local community. As a regulated dam in Cass County, this concrete structure serves as a key component in water management efforts in North Dakota, showcasing the intersection of infrastructure development and environmental conservation in the region.
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 Wild Rice Dam - Cass -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sheyenne R Ab Sheyenne R Diversion Nr Horace | 352 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Hickson | 795 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Fargo | 897 cfs | → |
| South Branch Buffalo River At Sabin | 65 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River At West Fargo | 362 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River Diversion At West Fargo | · | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wild Rice Dam - Cass.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Wild Rice Dam - Cass 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 Wild Rice Dam - Cass
Where does the data for Wild Rice Dam - Cass 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 Wild Rice Dam - Cass.