Cottonwood Creek Dam

Cottonwood Creek· LaMoure, North Dakota· Built 1973· Earth· 52 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond Local Government

Key Takeaway

Cottonwood Creek Dam is classified as significant hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1973 and is 53 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 52 ft (taller than 96% in ND)
Dam Length1,380 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage16.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage8.1K acre-ft
Surface Area494 acres
Drainage Area240 sq mi
Year Completed1973 (53 years old)
NID IDND00011

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: No
Last Inspection: November 1, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

City of LaMoure

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cottonwood Creek Dam?

Cottonwood Creek 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 Cottonwood Creek Dam?

Cottonwood Creek Dam is owned by City of LaMoure (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cottonwood Creek Dam built?

Cottonwood Creek Dam was completed in 1973, making it 53 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 Cottonwood Creek Dam?

Cottonwood Creek 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 Cottonwood Creek Dam?

Cottonwood Creek Dam has a dam height of 52 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 Cottonwood Creek Dam last inspected?

Cottonwood Creek Dam was last inspected on November 1, 2022. 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.