Brown Dam

Sheyenne River· Barnes, North Dakota· Built 1936· Other· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Brown Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1936 and is 90 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 27.8% in ND)
Dam Length80 ft
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage180 acre-ft
Normal Storage103 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Year Completed1936 (90 years old)
NID IDND00171

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: May 9, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Barnes County WRB

Local Government

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Stevens Dam; Joe

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Anderson Dam; Lawrence

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Brown Dam?

Brown Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Brown Dam?

Brown Dam is owned by Barnes County WRB (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Brown Dam built?

Brown Dam was completed in 1936, making it 90 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 Brown Dam?

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

How tall is Brown Dam?

Brown Dam has a dam height of 11 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 Brown Dam last inspected?

Brown Dam was last inspected on May 9, 2016. 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.