Smishek Lake Dam dam
Smishek Lake Dam
Smishek Lake Dam, located in Burke, North Dakota, is a state-owned structure designed by NDSWC for recreational purposes. Completed in 1959, this earth dam stands at a height of 7.4 feet and spans 800 feet in length, holding a maximum storage capacity of 3000 acre-feet. Situated on the White Earth River, this dam serves as a vital resource for water recreation enthusiasts in the area, offering a surface area of 196.7 acres for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Despite its low hazard potential, Smishek Lake Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the North Dakota State Water Commission to ensure its safety and functionality. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam has not been formally assessed for its condition, but it continues to provide valuable water storage and recreational opportunities for the local community. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and lack of outlet gates may pose challenges in emergency situations, but overall, it remains a key landmark in the region's water resource and climate landscape.
In the event of an emergency, the preparedness and management measures for Smishek Lake Dam are unclear, as information on its Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and risk management guidelines is not readily available. However, with its long history of service since the late 1950s, the dam continues to offer a safe and enjoyable environment for water enthusiasts while supporting the surrounding ecosystem and wildlife. As climate change and water resource management become increasingly important topics, Smishek Lake Dam stands as a reminder of the balance between human recreation and environmental stewardship in the face of evolving challenges.
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 Smishek Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White Earth River At White Earth | 26 cfs | → |
| Long Creek Nr Noonan | 7 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Sherwood | 27 cfs | → |
| Little Muddy River Bl Cow Creek Nr Williston | 22 cfs | → |
| E. Fork Shell Creek Nr Parshall | 13 cfs | → |
| Des Lacs River At Foxholm | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smishek Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Smishek Lake Boating Access
- Powers Lake Boating Access
- White Earth Dam Boating Access
- Tioga Dam Boating Access
- County Road 5 Burke County
- 104th Street Northwest 7131, Burke County
Track Smishek Lake 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 Smishek Lake Dam
Where does the data for Smishek Lake 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 Smishek Lake Dam.