Benson Dam; Richard Jr dam
Benson Dam; Richard Jr
Benson Dam; Richard Jr, located in Divide, North Dakota, is a private-owned structure designed by WRD and completed in 1992. This earth dam serves primarily as a Fish and Wildlife Pond along the Souris River-TR, with a height of 7 feet and a length of 150 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 87.5 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 31.3 acre-feet and a surface area of 17.4 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Benson Dam; Richard Jr is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the North Dakota State Water Commission. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 40 feet and a single slide (sluice gate) outlet gate. While the dam's condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," it is essential for water resource and climate enthusiasts to recognize the importance of maintaining and managing such structures for the safety and sustainability of surrounding ecosystems and communities.
With its strategic location and purposeful design, Benson Dam; Richard Jr stands as a vital component in the management of water resources and the preservation of wildlife habitats in North Dakota. As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor and advocate for the proper maintenance of such structures, the significance of Benson Dam; Richard Jr in promoting biodiversity and environmental resilience cannot be understated.
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 Benson Dam; Richard Jr -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Long Creek Nr Noonan | 7 cfs | → |
| Little Muddy River Bl Cow Creek Nr Williston | 22 cfs | → |
| White Earth River At White Earth | 24 cfs | → |
| Big Muddy Creek Near Antelope Mt | 16 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Benson Dam; Richard Jr.
Track Benson Dam; Richard Jr 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 Benson Dam; Richard Jr
Where does the data for Benson Dam; Richard Jr 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 Benson Dam; Richard Jr.