Spirit Lake Bia 4 North dam
Spirit Lake Bia 4 North
Spirit Lake Bia 4 North is a federal water resource located in Benson, North Dakota, along the Sheyenne River. Managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, this site holds a high hazard potential with a condition assessment that is currently not available. The emergency action plan was last revised in September 2012, indicating a need for updated information and preparedness measures. Despite the lack of specific details on the dam structure and purpose, the site's critical location and potential risk highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance.
The Spirit Lake Bia 4 North water resource falls under federal jurisdiction and is not regulated by the state of North Dakota. With a high hazard potential and a five-year inspection frequency, this site poses a significant risk to surrounding communities in the event of a dam failure. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is responsible for funding, design, construction, regulation, inspection, and operations at this location, underscoring the federal government's role in ensuring the safety and integrity of the dam. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, proactive measures are essential to mitigate risks and protect the environment and public safety.
While specific details on the dam's features and history are not provided, the Spirit Lake Bia 4 North water resource serves as a critical site along the Sheyenne River in North Dakota. With no available information on storage capacity, structural height, or purpose, there is a need for updated data and risk assessments to inform emergency preparedness and management strategies. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to advocate for transparency, accountability, and proactive measures to safeguard our natural resources and communities 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 Spirit Lake Bia 4 North -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sheyenne River Nr Warwick | 245 cfs | → |
| Edmore Coulee Trib Nr Webster | 35 cfs | → |
| Starkweather Coulee Nr Webster | 22 cfs | → |
| Edmore Coulee Nr Edmore | 23 cfs | → |
| Little Coulee Nr Leeds | 9 cfs | → |
| James River Nr Grace City | 28 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Spirit Lake Bia 4 North.
Track Spirit Lake Bia 4 North 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 Spirit Lake Bia 4 North
Where does the data for Spirit Lake Bia 4 North 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 Spirit Lake Bia 4 North.