River Pool Dam dam
River Pool Dam
River Pool Dam, located in Sargent County, North Dakota, is a Federal-owned structure managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Built in 1967, the dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond on the Wild Rice River, with a primary purpose of supporting aquatic habitats. Standing at a height of 11 feet, the earth dam spans 680 feet in length and has a storage capacity of 616 acre-feet, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area.
Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's condition assessment was reported as poor during the last inspection in October 2020. The risk assessment categorizes it as very high, indicating potential vulnerabilities that require attention. The dam features a controlled spillway and other controlled outlet gates, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to water management. With a drainage area of 472.7 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 557 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in regulating water flow and supporting the local ecosystem.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the River Pool Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and conservation efforts. With state regulation and inspection in place, there is an opportunity to address the dam's poor condition and mitigate potential risks. By leveraging the expertise of the Fish and Wildlife Service and implementing necessary risk management measures, this vital water infrastructure can continue to support biodiversity and ecological health in the region for years to come.
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 River Pool Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Rice River Nr Rutland | 56 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River At Lisbon | 298 cfs | → |
| Bear Creek Nr Oakes | 16 cfs | → |
| James River At Nd-Sd State Line | 581 cfs | → |
| Antelope Creek At Dwight | 24 cfs | → |
| Little Minnesota River Near Peever | 60 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near River Pool Dam .
Track River Pool 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 River Pool Dam
Where does the data for River Pool 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 River Pool Dam .