Kratochvil Dam dam
Kratochvil Dam
Kratochvil Dam, also known as N Br Forest R Det Dam 3, is a local government-owned structure in Fordville, North Dakota, designed by USDA NRCS and regulated by NDSWC. Completed in 1962, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 18 feet and spans 790 feet along the North Branch Forest River. With a primary purpose of flood risk reduction, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 75.63 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 2837 acre-feet.
The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 110 feet and vertical lift outlet gates. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is considered to have moderate risk with a moderate (3) risk assessment rating. The condition assessment of the dam is currently not rated, and the last inspection took place in June 2013. While the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and risk management measures are not specified, the dam's overall risk is being monitored to ensure public safety and effective flood risk reduction in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Kratochvil Dam presents an interesting case study in dam infrastructure and flood risk management. The collaborative effort between local government, USDA NRCS, and regulatory agencies like NDSWC highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of vital water infrastructure. As climate change continues to impact the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, dams like Kratochvil play a crucial role in mitigating flood risks and protecting communities along the North Branch Forest River.
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 Kratochvil Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Forest River Nr Fordville | 89 cfs | → |
| Edmore Coulee Nr Edmore | 68 cfs | → |
| Park River At Grafton | 71 cfs | → |
| Edmore Coulee Trib Nr Webster | 119 cfs | → |
| Forest River At Minto | 132 cfs | → |
| Tongue River At Akra | 51 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kratochvil Dam.
Boat launches
- Bylin Dam
- County Road 14 Walsh County
- 54th Street Northeast Walsh County
- Whitman Dam
- 132nd Avenue Northeast Walsh County
- 35th Avenue Northeast Grand Forks County
Track Kratochvil 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 Kratochvil Dam
Where does the data for Kratochvil 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 Kratochvil Dam.