Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr) Dam
Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr)
Dam 87-Main, located in Burlington, North Dakota, is a vital part of the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge. Built in 1936 by the USFWS, this federal-owned earth dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond, providing essential habitat for various species in the area. With a height of 16.2 feet and a length of 1800 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 1214 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 288 acres.
The dam, situated on the Souris River, is regulated by the state of North Dakota and has a spillway width of 700 feet. It is classified as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk level. The structure features Tainter radial gates and is inspected regularly to ensure its integrity and safety. While the dam's condition is currently not rated, it plays a crucial role in managing water resources and maintaining the ecological balance of the region.
Dam 87-Main is a significant asset in the conservation efforts of the area, providing essential support for wildlife and contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem. Its presence not only helps in managing water levels and drainage but also serves as a crucial habitat for various species. With its strategic location and design, the dam continues to be a key element in maintaining the ecological balance of the Upper Souris NWR and the surrounding areas.
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 Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Souris River Nr Foxholm | 12 cfs | → |
| Des Lacs River At Foxholm | 0 cfs | → |
| Souris River Above Minot | 58 cfs | → |
| Deep River Nr Upham | 3 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Verendrye | 122 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Sherwood | 66 cfs | → |
About Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr)
Where does the data for Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr) 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 below 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.
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.