Des Lacs Dam 3 (Nwr)

Des Lacs River-TR· Ward, North Dakota· Built 1935· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Des Lacs Dam 3 (Nwr) 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 9 ft (taller than 12.8% in ND)
Dam Length4,845 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage366 acre-ft
Normal Storage100 acre-ft
Surface Area57 acres
Drainage Area78 sq mi
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDND00315

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: July 24, 2001
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

USFWS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Des Lacs Dam 3 (Nwr)?

Des Lacs Dam 3 (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 Des Lacs Dam 3 (Nwr)?

Des Lacs Dam 3 (Nwr) is owned by USFWS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Des Lacs Dam 3 (Nwr) built?

Des Lacs Dam 3 (Nwr) 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 Dam 3 (Nwr)?

Des Lacs Dam 3 (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 Des Lacs Dam 3 (Nwr)?

Des Lacs Dam 3 (Nwr) has a dam height of 9 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 Dam 3 (Nwr) last inspected?

Des Lacs Dam 3 (Nwr) was last inspected on July 24, 2001. 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.