Des Lacs #5 Dam

DES LACS RIVER· Ward, North Dakota· Built 1935· Earth· 10 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Des Lacs #5 Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1935 and is 91 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 10 ft (taller than 20% in ND)
Dam Length1,483 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage942 acre-ft
Drainage Area618 sq mi
Max Discharge2,742 cfs
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDND00313

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: September 15, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NDSWC

Ownership

US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Des Lacs #5 Dam?

Des Lacs #5 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 Des Lacs #5 Dam?

Des Lacs #5 Dam is owned by US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Des Lacs #5 Dam built?

Des Lacs #5 Dam was completed in 1935, making it 91 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 Des Lacs #5 Dam?

Des Lacs #5 Dam 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 Des Lacs #5 Dam?

Des Lacs #5 Dam has a dam height of 10 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 Des Lacs #5 Dam last inspected?

Des Lacs #5 Dam was last inspected on September 15, 2020. 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.