Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr)

Souris River· Ward, North Dakota· Built 1936· Earth· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr) is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1936 and is 90 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 52.7% in ND)
Dam Length1,800 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.2K acre-ft
Surface Area288 acres
Drainage Area9,200 sq mi
Year Completed1936 (90 years old)
NID IDND00330

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: August 5, 2009
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

USFWS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr)?

Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr) 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 Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr)?

Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr) is owned by USFWS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr) built?

Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr) was completed in 1936, making it 90 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 Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr)?

Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr) serves the following purposes: 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 Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr)?

Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr) 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.

When was Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr) last inspected?

Dam 87-Main (Upper Souris Nwr) was last inspected on August 5, 2009. 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.