Blacktail Dam

Blacktail Creek· Williams, North Dakota· Built 1959· Earth· 57 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

Blacktail Dam is classified as significant hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1959 and is 67 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 57 ft (taller than 96.9% in ND)
Dam Length2,250 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage5.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.7K acre-ft
Surface Area158 acres
Drainage Area28 sq mi
Year Completed1959 (67 years old)
NID IDND00033

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: May 21, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

ND Game & Fish

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Blacktail Dam?

Blacktail Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Blacktail Dam?

Blacktail Dam is owned by ND Game & Fish (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Blacktail Dam built?

Blacktail Dam was completed in 1959, making it 67 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Blacktail Dam?

Blacktail Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Blacktail Dam?

Blacktail Dam has a dam height of 57 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Blacktail Dam last inspected?

Blacktail Dam was last inspected on May 21, 2018. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.