Nesheim Dam dam
Nesheim Dam
Nesheim Dam, located in Ward County, North Dakota, was completed in 1935 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and is primarily owned and regulated by the local government. This earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and has a structural height of 26 feet, with a length of 600 feet. The dam's main purposes include fire protection, stock, and serving as a small fish pond, providing a storage capacity of 96 acre-feet with a normal storage level of 50 acre-feet.
The dam's spillway is uncontrolled and has a width of 25 feet, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment. Despite not being inspected since 1974 and lacking a condition assessment rating, Nesheim Dam remains under the jurisdiction and regulation of the North Dakota State Water Commission (NDSWC). The dam's location along the Lone Tree Coulee-TR stream contributes to its importance in managing water resources and climate-related concerns in the region.
With a rich history dating back to the Great Depression era and a unique design by the WPA, Nesheim Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water infrastructure for fire protection and agricultural needs in North Dakota. The dam's capacity to store water and its role in managing local water resources make it a vital asset for the community, despite the need for updated inspections and assessments to ensure its continued safety and effectiveness in mitigating climate-related risks.
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 Nesheim 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 | → |
| Deepwater Creek At Mouth Nr Raub | 5 cfs | → |
| Deep River Nr Upham | 23 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Nesheim Dam.
Boat launches
- County Highway 6 Ward County
- 73rd Street Northwest Renville County
- North Rice Lake Road 219, Ward County
- County Road 26 Renville County
- State Highway 28 Renville County
Track Nesheim 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 Nesheim Dam
Where does the data for Nesheim 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 Nesheim Dam.