Ray Railroad Dam dam
Ray Railroad Dam
Ray Railroad Dam, also known as Mcleod Lake, is a historic earth dam located in Ray, North Dakota. Completed in 1890, this dam serves as a recreational area for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of Beaver Creek. With a structural height of 20 feet and a length of 740 feet, Ray Railroad Dam offers a serene setting with a surface area of 38 acres and a drainage area of 11.5 square miles.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the North Dakota State Water Commission, Ray Railroad Dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 40 feet and a maximum storage capacity of 1103 acre-feet. While the dam has not been modified in recent years, it continues to provide a safe and enjoyable recreational space for visitors to explore.
Although the dam does not have a designated emergency action plan or inundation maps prepared, Ray Railroad Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level. Despite this, the dam remains a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking to connect with nature and appreciate the importance of water resources in the context of climate change. With its rich history and picturesque surroundings, Ray Railroad Dam is a must-visit location for those passionate about water conservation and environmental sustainability.
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 Ray Railroad Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White Earth River At White Earth | 26 cfs | → |
| Little Muddy River Bl Cow Creek Nr Williston | 22 cfs | → |
| Bear Den Creek Nr Mandaree | 7 cfs | → |
| Charbonneau Creek Nr Charbonneau | 0 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Nr Noonan | 7 cfs | → |
| Little Missouri River Nr Watford City | 37 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ray Railroad Dam.
Boat launches
- Church Street Ray
- Tioga Dam Boating Access
- Lund's Landing Boat Ramp
- Mckenzie County
- 102b Avenue Northwest Williams County
- Williams County
Track Ray Railroad 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 Ray Railroad Dam
Where does the data for Ray Railroad 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 Ray Railroad Dam.