Des Lacs City Dam dam
Des Lacs City Dam
Des Lacs City Dam, located in North Dakota, was completed in 1964 and serves as a vital resource for recreational activities in the area. Managed by the North Dakota State Water Commission, this earth dam stands at a height of 31 feet and has a structural height of 38 feet. It is situated on Lloyd's Coulee, offering a surface area of 20.1 acres and a drainage area of 10 acres. With a normal storage capacity of 220 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 300 acre-feet, the dam provides a peaceful retreat for visitors seeking outdoor adventures.
Despite its low hazard potential, Des Lacs City Dam is subject to regular inspections and state regulations to ensure its safety and functionality. The spillway, with a width of 16 feet, is designed as uncontrolled to manage water overflow effectively. While the dam itself is not currently rated for condition assessment, the risk level is classified as moderate. Emergency action plans and risk management measures are in place to address any potential threats, reflecting the commitment to maintaining the dam's integrity and safeguarding the surrounding community. Des Lacs City Dam remains a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts, offering a tranquil setting for recreation and environmental appreciation.
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 Des Lacs City Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Lacs River At Foxholm | 0 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Foxholm | 0 cfs | → |
| Souris River Above Minot | 10 cfs | → |
| E. Fork Shell Creek Nr Parshall | 13 cfs | → |
| Deep River Nr Upham | 23 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Verendrye | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Des Lacs City Dam.
Boat launches
- County Highway 6 Ward County
- 73rd Street Northwest Renville County
- North Rice Lake Road 219, Ward County
- 303rd Avenue Southwest Ward County
- County Road 26 Renville County
Track Des Lacs City 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 Des Lacs City Dam
Where does the data for Des Lacs City 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 Des Lacs City Dam.