Bylin Dam

North Branch Forest River· Walsh, North Dakota· Built 1964· Earth· 58 ft tall

High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Bylin Dam is classified as high hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	58 ft (taller than 97% in ND)
Dam Length	760 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	5.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage	708 acre-ft

Surface Area	60 acres
Drainage Area	22 sq mi
Year Completed	1964 (62 years old)
NID ID	ND00036

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: August 31, 2021

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Walsh County WRB

Local Government

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Middle Branch Park River Dam 6

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Chyle Dam

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Matejcek Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bylin Dam?

Bylin Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bylin Dam?

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

When was Bylin Dam built?

Bylin Dam was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 Bylin Dam?

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

How tall is Bylin Dam?

Bylin Dam has a dam height of 58 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 Bylin Dam last inspected?

Bylin Dam was last inspected on August 31, 2021. 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.