Dickinson

HEART RIVER· Stark, North Dakota· Built 1950· Earth· 49 ft tall

High Hazard Irrigation Water Supply Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Dickinson is classified as high hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is irrigation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height	49 ft (taller than 95.3% in ND)
Dam Length	2,275 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	26.6K acre-ft
Normal Storage	8.6K acre-ft

Surface Area	2,158 acres
Drainage Area	406 sq mi
Max Discharge	104,790 cfs
Year Completed	1950 (76 years old)
NID ID	ND00148

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes

Last Inspection: July 15, 2020

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: NDSWC

Ownership

RECLAMATION

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Manns Dam

Stark, ND

Low Hazard 12 ft

Queen City Dam

Stark, ND

High Hazard 16 ft

Dickinson Dike Dry Dam

Stark, ND

Low Hazard 16 ft

East Broadway Dam

Stark, ND

Low Hazard 12 ft

Meyer Dam; Ivan

Stark, ND

Low Hazard 14 ft

Frenzel Dam; Joe

Stark, ND

Low Hazard 9 ft

Snyder Dam; Dan 4

Stark, ND

Low Hazard 13 ft

Lefor Dam; Kenneth 2

Stark, ND

Low Hazard 13 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dickinson?

Dickinson is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Dickinson?

Dickinson is owned by RECLAMATION (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dickinson built?

Dickinson was completed in 1950, making it 76 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 Dickinson?

Dickinson serves the following purposes: Irrigation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Dickinson?

Dickinson has a dam height of 49 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 Dickinson last inspected?

Dickinson was last inspected on July 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.