Upper Turtle R.Fld.Ret.#4 dam
Upper Turtle R.Fld.Ret.#4
Upper Turtle R.Fld.Ret.#4, also known as Turtle River Wtsd.Det Dam, is a critical flood risk reduction structure located in Pilot, North Dakota. Constructed in 1980 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 52 feet and spans a length of 1990 feet. It serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction along the North Branch Turtle River, with a storage capacity of 2700 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 128.5 feet.
Managed by the NDSWC and regulated by the state of North Dakota, Upper Turtle R.Fld.Ret.#4 has a spillway width of 400 feet and is equipped with a single valve outlet gate. Despite being assessed as in fair condition with a high hazard potential, this dam has a moderate risk rating of 3. It is important to note that the last inspection took place in July 2015, highlighting the need for regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure its continued effectiveness in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Overall, Upper Turtle R.Fld.Ret.#4 is a crucial infrastructure in the Grand Forks region, playing a significant role in mitigating flood risks along the Turtle River. With its strategic location and design, this dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and highlights the importance of ongoing inspection and maintenance to safeguard communities and ecosystems in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Upper Turtle R.Fld.Ret.#4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Forest River Nr Fordville | 89 cfs | → |
| Turtle River At Turtle R State Park Nr Arvilla | 25 cfs | → |
| Forest River At Minto | 132 cfs | → |
| Park River At Grafton | 71 cfs | → |
| Red River Of The North At Grand Forks | 2,280 cfs | → |
| Goose River Near Portland | 8 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Upper Turtle R.Fld.Ret.#4.
Boat launches
- 35th Avenue Northeast Grand Forks County
- Larimore Dam
- County Road 14 Walsh County
- Whitman Dam
- 54th Street Northeast Walsh County
- Bylin Dam
Track Upper Turtle R.Fld.Ret.#4 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 Upper Turtle R.Fld.Ret.#4
Where does the data for Upper Turtle R.Fld.Ret.#4 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 High 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 Upper Turtle R.Fld.Ret.#4.