Des Lacs Dam 7a

Des Lacs River· Ward, North Dakota· Built 1937· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Des Lacs Dam 7a is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 12.8% in ND)
Dam Length2,453 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.7K acre-ft
Surface Area437 acres
Drainage Area661 sq mi
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
NID IDND00323

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: October 10, 1988
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 7a?

Des Lacs Dam 7a 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 7a?

Des Lacs Dam 7a is owned by USFWS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Des Lacs Dam 7a built?

Des Lacs Dam 7a was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 7a?

Des Lacs Dam 7a 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 7a?

Des Lacs Dam 7a 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 7a last inspected?

Des Lacs Dam 7a was last inspected on October 10, 1988. 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.