Heley Dam; Howard dam
Heley Dam; Howard
Heley Dam in Howard, North Dakota, is a private Earth dam constructed in 1960 by the USFWS for the primary purpose of creating a Fish and Wildlife Pond. With a height of 9 feet and a length of 344 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 53.1 acre-feet and a surface area of 10.5 acres. Situated on the Wild Rice River, it is regulated by the NDSWC and is considered to have low hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment.
Despite being last inspected in 1993 and not currently rated for condition assessment, Heley Dam continues to serve its intended purpose effectively. With one vertical lift outlet gate and an uncontrolled spillway, the dam is designed to maintain the water levels needed for fish and wildlife conservation in the area. The dam's location in Richland County, North Dakota, adds to its significance as a water resource for the region.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the role Heley Dam plays in supporting the local ecosystem along the Wild Rice River. As a vital infrastructure for fish and wildlife conservation, the dam not only provides storage for water but also helps regulate water flow and maintain a sustainable environment. Its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment highlight the importance of maintaining and monitoring this essential structure for the benefit of both wildlife and the community.
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 Heley Dam; Howard -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Antelope Creek At Dwight | 25 cfs | → |
| Bois De Sioux River Near Doran | 46 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Wahpeton | 594 cfs | → |
| Wild Rice River Nr Abercrombie | 89 cfs | → |
| Wild Rice River Nr Rutland | 51 cfs | → |
| Bois De Sioux River Near White Rock | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Heley Dam; Howard.
Boat launches
- 170th Avenue Southeast Mooreton Township
- Tewaukon Township
- 88th Street Southeast 13838, Shuman Township
- 137th Avenue Southeast Weber Township
Track Heley Dam; Howard 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 Heley Dam; Howard
Where does the data for Heley Dam; Howard 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 Heley Dam; Howard.