Spokely Farms Dam dam
Spokely Farms Dam
Spokely Farms Dam, also known as Bagge Irrigation Dam, is a privately owned structure located in Traill County, North Dakota. Designed by USDA NRCS and completed in 1979, this Earth-type dam serves the primary purpose of irrigation along the Red River. With a maximum storage capacity of 325.9 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 196 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 19 acres and has a drainage area of 2.2 square miles.
The dam stands at a height of 35 feet and stretches 970 feet in length, with a spillway width of 200 feet for uncontrolled water release. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, the dam's condition assessment is listed as "Not Rated." The State of North Dakota regulates and inspects the dam, with the North Dakota State Water Commission serving as the regulatory agency.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Spokely Farms Dam represents an essential infrastructure for agricultural irrigation in the region. Its location in Traill County, near Grand Forks, showcases the importance of efficient water management and highlights the role of private ownership in maintaining critical water resources. As climate change continues to impact water availability, the maintenance and regulation of dams like Spokely Farms Dam are crucial for sustaining agriculture and mitigating water-related risks in the future.
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 Spokely Farms Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sand Hill River At Climax | 36 cfs | → |
| Marsh River Near Shelly | 7 cfs | → |
| Goose River At Hillsboro | 126 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Halstad | 2,070 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North Near Thompson | 2,340 cfs | → |
| Wild Rice River At Hendrum | 186 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spokely Farms Dam.
Boat launches
- Mn 200 Halstad
- County Road 25 1112, Hendrum
- Us Highway 75 Polk County
- Bridge Street Crookston
- Grand Forks
- 3rd Avenue Southeast East Grand Forks
Track Spokely Farms 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 Spokely Farms Dam
Where does the data for Spokely Farms 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 Spokely Farms Dam.