Sanish Bay Wpa 1 dam
Sanish Bay Wpa 1
Sanish Bay Wpa 1 is a federal-owned Fish and Wildlife Pond located in Mountrail, North Dakota. Built in 1995 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this Earth dam structure serves multiple purposes, including providing habitat for wildlife and managing water resources in the area. With a storage capacity of 2861 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 62.5 feet, the reservoir covers an area of 22.1 acres and has a drainage area of 10.8 square miles.
Managed by the North Dakota State Water Commission, Sanish Bay Wpa 1 is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its safety and functionality. With a low hazard potential and a very high risk assessment rating, the dam is equipped with a controlled spillway and a vertical lift outlet gate. While the condition of the structure is currently not rated, the presence of emergency action plans and risk management measures indicate a proactive approach towards maintaining the dam's integrity and protecting downstream communities from potential hazards.
Located in a picturesque setting along the SANISH BAY stream, Sanish Bay Wpa 1 stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and environmental conservation. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, structures like this play a vital role in preserving ecosystems and supporting biodiversity. With a commitment to safety, regulation, and risk management, this dam serves as a model for sustainable water infrastructure in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Sanish Bay Wpa 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| E. Fork Shell Creek Nr Parshall | 13 cfs | → |
| Bear Den Creek Nr Mandaree | 7 cfs | → |
| Deepwater Creek At Mouth Nr Raub | 4 cfs | → |
| White Earth River At White Earth | 25 cfs | → |
| Little Missouri River Nr Watford City | 38 cfs | → |
| Des Lacs River At Foxholm | 0 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sanish Bay Wpa 1.
Track Sanish Bay Wpa 1 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 Sanish Bay Wpa 1
Where does the data for Sanish Bay Wpa 1 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 Sanish Bay Wpa 1.