Gustafson Dam; Alfred dam
Gustafson Dam; Alfred
Gustafson Dam in Alfred, North Dakota, also known as Brad or Germanson Dam, was completed in 1962 by USDA NRCS for the primary purpose of irrigation. This private dam stands at 31 feet high and stretches 377 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 104 acre-feet. Situated on the Knife-TR River, it serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, covering a drainage area of 7.83 square miles.
The dam is state regulated by NDSWC, with necessary inspections and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and functionality. It has an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 149 feet, and an outlet gate consisting of a single valve. The hazard potential is considered significant, with a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite being in operation for several decades, the dam's condition assessment remains unrated, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Gustafson Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the engineering and management of a crucial irrigation structure in North Dakota. Its role in providing water for agricultural purposes underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions. As a privately owned dam with state oversight, Gustafson Dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts required to maintain and protect our water resources for future generations.
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 Gustafson Dam; Alfred -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Knife River Nr Golden Valley | 10 cfs | → |
| Knife River At Manning | 1 cfs | → |
| Spring Creek At Zap | 14 cfs | → |
| Heart River Nr Richardton | 13 cfs | → |
| Green River Nr New Hradec | 3 cfs | → |
| Heart River Nr South Heart | 3 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gustafson Dam; Alfred.
Boat launches
- Lake Ilo Boating Access
- Little Missouri Boat Ramp
- 30th Avenue Southwest Stark County
- 8th Street Southwest Stark County
- 114th Avenue Southwest Stark County
- Dunn County
Campgrounds
Paddle runs
- Northern Boundary Of Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site To Southern Boundary Of Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
- Southern Boundary Of The South Unit Of Theodore Roosevelt National Park To Northern Boundary Of The South Unit Of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Track Gustafson Dam; Alfred 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 Gustafson Dam; Alfred
Where does the data for Gustafson Dam; Alfred 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 Significant 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 Gustafson Dam; Alfred.