Lake Darling Dam dam
Lake Darling Dam
Lake Darling Dam, also known as Dam No. 83, is a federal-owned structure located in Minot, North Dakota, along the Souris River. Built in 1937 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this earthen dam stands at a height of 39 feet and serves multiple purposes including flood risk reduction, recreation, and as a fish and wildlife pond. With a storage capacity of over 200,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 9655 acres, Lake Darling Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region.
Managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service, this dam has a controlled spillway with a width of 215 feet and is inspected regularly to ensure its safety and structural integrity. Despite being classified with a high hazard potential, the condition assessment of Lake Darling Dam remains satisfactory, indicating that it is well-maintained and prepared for potential emergencies. The dam has undergone modifications in 1998 to enhance its hydraulic and structural components, and it remains a key feature in the area's water infrastructure.
Lake Darling Dam serves as a vital asset for the local community, providing essential water resource management, flood protection, and recreational opportunities. With its rich history dating back to the 1930s, this iconic structure continues to be a symbol of resilience and environmental stewardship in North Dakota. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Darling Dam represents a fascinating blend of engineering excellence, wildlife conservation, and natural beauty along the picturesque Souris 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 Lake Darling Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Lacs River At Foxholm | 0 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Foxholm | 0 cfs | → |
| Souris River Above Minot | 10 cfs | → |
| Deep River Nr Upham | 23 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Sherwood | 99 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Verendrye | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Darling Dam .
Boat launches
- County Highway 6 Ward County
- 73rd Street Northwest Renville County
- County Road 26 Renville County
- State Highway 28 Renville County
- North Rice Lake Road 219, Ward County
Track Lake Darling 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 Lake Darling Dam
Where does the data for Lake Darling 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 High 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 Lake Darling Dam .