Polsfut Dam; Theodore dam
Polsfut Dam; Theodore
Polsfut Dam in Theodore, North Dakota, is a privately owned structure designed by USDA NRCS and completed in 1947 to serve the primary purpose of irrigation. This earth dam stands at a height of 12 feet and spans a length of 370 feet, with a maximum storage capacity of 132 acre-feet. Situated on the Newman Coulee-TR River, this dam is regulated by the NDSWC and has a spillway width of 40 feet.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Polsfut Dam underwent structural modifications in 1962 to enhance its safety measures. The risk assessment for this dam is moderate, with a risk score of 3. While the condition of the dam is currently not rated, it is subject to state inspection, permitting, and enforcement to ensure compliance with safety standards. As an essential water resource for irrigation in Ward County, Polsfut Dam plays a crucial role in water management and agricultural sustainability in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be intrigued by Polsfut Dam's history, design, and operational significance in maintaining water supply for agricultural activities in North Dakota. The dam's association with the USDA NRCS, its earth core and stone foundation, and its controlled spillway demonstrate the commitment to sustainable water management practices. With a focus on irrigation and a moderate risk assessment, Polsfut Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource management in the region, highlighting the importance of maintaining and regulating dams to ensure water security and environmental resilience.
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 Polsfut Dam; Theodore -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Souris River Above Minot | 10 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Verendrye | 30 cfs | → |
| Wintering River Nr Karlsruhe | 21 cfs | → |
| Souris River Nr Foxholm | 0 cfs | → |
| Des Lacs River At Foxholm | 0 cfs | → |
| Deepwater Creek At Mouth Nr Raub | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Polsfut Dam; Theodore.
Boat launches
- 18th Avenue North Ward County
- 303rd Avenue Southwest Ward County
- 24th Street Northwest Mclean County
- 29th Avenue Northwest Mclean County
- 30th Street Southwest Mclean County
Campgrounds
- Max City Rv Park
- Velva City Park
- Rice Lake County Park
- Surrey Rv Park
- Butte City Park
- Roughride Campground
Paddle runs
Track Polsfut Dam; Theodore 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 Polsfut Dam; Theodore
Where does the data for Polsfut Dam; Theodore 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 Polsfut Dam; Theodore.