Fairfield Dam; James dam
Fairfield Dam; James
Fairfield Dam, located in North Dakota along the Sheyenne River-Tr, was completed in 1966 by the USDA NRCS and serves as a vital resource for fish and wildlife by providing a pond for their habitat. This private Earth-type dam stands at a height of 30 feet and spans 223 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 15 acre-feet and a surface area of 1.7 acres. Despite having a low hazard potential, the dam is considered to have moderate risk due to its condition assessment being unavailable.
Managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Fairfield Dam plays a crucial role in supporting the local ecosystem and maintaining a healthy environment for various species. With a spillway width of 30 feet and no outlet gates, the dam ensures controlled water flow and contributes to the overall water management system in the area. Although the condition assessment is not available, the dam's risk management measures are being continuously evaluated to ensure its safety and longevity.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the significance of Fairfield Dam in providing a sustainable habitat for fish and wildlife along the Sheyenne River. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's moderate risk status highlights the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance to uphold its structural integrity and safeguard the surrounding ecosystem. As a key structure designed by the USDA NRCS, Fairfield Dam stands as a testament to the commitment towards environmental conservation and resource management in North Dakota.
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 Fairfield Dam; James -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sheyenne River Below Baldhill Dam | 666 cfs | → |
| Maple River Nr Enderlin | 105 cfs | → |
| Sheyenne River At Lisbon | 707 cfs | → |
| James River At Lamoure | 447 cfs | → |
| Baldhill Creek Nr Dazey | 29 cfs | → |
| James River At Jamestown | 327 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fairfield Dam; James.
Boat launches
- 109th Avenue Southeast Barnes County
- Mill Road Ransom County
- 63 1/2 Street Southeast North Dakota
- 102nd Avenue Southeast North Dakota
- 90th Avenue Southeast Adrian
Track Fairfield Dam; James 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 Fairfield Dam; James
Where does the data for Fairfield Dam; James 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 Fairfield Dam; James.