Brownlee Dam

Maple RIver· Cass, North Dakota· Built 1934· Other· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Brownlee Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1934 and is 92 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 52.7% in ND)
Dam Length120 ft
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage412 acre-ft
Normal Storage276 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area475 sq mi
Year Completed1934 (92 years old)
NID IDND00187

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Maple River WRB

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Brownlee Dam?

Brownlee 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 Brownlee Dam?

Brownlee Dam is owned by Maple River WRB (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Brownlee Dam built?

Brownlee Dam was completed in 1934, making it 92 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 Brownlee Dam?

Brownlee 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 Brownlee Dam?

Brownlee Dam has a dam height of 16 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.

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.