Kolding Dam dam
Kolding Dam
Kolding Dam, also known as Upper Turtle R.Fldr #6, is a significant earth dam located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Built in 1972 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves as a crucial flood risk reduction structure along Whisky Creek-TR. Standing at a height of 70.5 feet with a length of 3455 feet, Kolding Dam has a normal storage capacity of 73.5 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 9.8 acres.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the NDSWC, Kolding Dam plays a vital role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events. With a spillway width of 300 feet and a hazard potential rated as significant, this dam is designed to withstand moderate risk levels and has not been formally assessed for its current condition. Although no outlet gates are present, Kolding Dam continues to be an essential structure in the region's water resource and climate management efforts.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be drawn to Kolding Dam for its historical significance and engineering marvels. As a key piece of infrastructure in flood risk reduction, this earth dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices. With its critical role in protecting the local community and surrounding areas, Kolding Dam exemplifies the intersection of technology, nature, and human ingenuity in safeguarding our environment against the impacts of climate change.
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 Kolding Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turtle River At Turtle R State Park Nr Arvilla | 25 cfs | → |
| Forest River Nr Fordville | 89 cfs | → |
| Forest River At Minto | 132 cfs | → |
| Goose River Near Portland | 8 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Grand Forks | 2,280 cfs | → |
| Park River At Grafton | 71 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kolding Dam.
Boat launches
- Larimore Dam
- 35th Avenue Northeast Grand Forks County
- County Road 14 Walsh County
- Whitman Dam
- 54th Street Northeast Walsh County
- County Road 35 Mcville
Track Kolding 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 Kolding Dam
Where does the data for Kolding 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 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 Kolding Dam.