Depuy Dam dam
Depuy Dam
Depuy Dam, located in Stutsman, North Dakota, along the James River, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the USBR. Completed in 1937, the dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond with a primary purpose of wildlife conservation. Standing at a height of 15 feet and a length of 1200 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 1492 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 293 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment, Depuy Dam has undergone several modifications over the years to enhance its hydraulic and structural integrity, with the most recent updates made in 2006. The dam is regulated by the Fish and Wildlife Service, which also conducts inspections and operations. With a drainage area of 770 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 4722 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and protecting the surrounding ecosystem.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Depuy Dam offers a fascinating example of how infrastructure can be utilized for conservation purposes. Its role as a wildlife habitat and its contributions to flood control and water storage make it a valuable asset in sustaining the ecological balance of the region. With ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts, Depuy Dam continues to play a vital role in safeguarding the natural environment while serving as a testament to the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Depuy Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pipestem Creek Nr Pingree | 25 cfs | → |
| James River At Jamestown | 325 cfs | → |
| James River Above Arrowwood Lake Nr Kensal | 36 cfs | → |
| James River Nr Grace City | 28 cfs | → |
| Baldhill Creek Nr Dazey | 29 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River Below Baldhill Dam | 673 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Depuy Dam.
Boat launches
- 83rd Avenue Southeast Stutsman County
- 30th Street Southeast Stutsman County
- Stutsman County
- 9th Street Northeast Foster County
Track Depuy 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 Depuy Dam
Where does the data for Depuy 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 Depuy Dam.