Crown Butte Dam

Crown Butte Creek· Morton, North Dakota· Built 1963· Earth· 48 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

Crown Butte Dam is classified as significant hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1963 and is 63 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 48 ft (taller than 95% in ND)
Dam Length850 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage386 acre-ft
Surface Area31 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Year Completed1963 (63 years old)
NID IDND00190

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: Yes
Last Inspection: September 23, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

ND Game & Fish

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Crown Butte Dam?

Crown Butte 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 Crown Butte Dam?

Crown Butte Dam is owned by ND Game & Fish (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Crown Butte Dam built?

Crown Butte Dam was completed in 1963, making it 63 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 Crown Butte Dam?

Crown Butte 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 Crown Butte Dam?

Crown Butte Dam has a dam height of 48 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 Crown Butte Dam last inspected?

Crown Butte Dam was last inspected on September 23, 2019. 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.