Cat Coulee Dam

Cat Coulee· Grant, North Dakota· Built 1938· Earth· 21 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Local Government

Key Takeaway

Cat Coulee Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 21 ft (taller than 68.5% in ND)
Dam Length300 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage115 acre-ft
Normal Storage30 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area5 sq mi
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDND00288

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: April 12, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Grant County WRB

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cat Coulee Dam?

Cat Coulee 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 Cat Coulee Dam?

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

When was Cat Coulee Dam built?

Cat Coulee Dam was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Cat Coulee Dam?

Cat Coulee Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Cat Coulee Dam?

Cat Coulee Dam has a dam height of 21 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 Cat Coulee Dam last inspected?

Cat Coulee Dam was last inspected on April 12, 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.