Dougherty Dam

North Branch Forest River· Walsh, North Dakota· Built 1935· Earth· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Dougherty Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1935 and is 91 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 65.1% in ND)
Dam Length400 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage213 acre-ft
Normal Storage135 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area55 sq mi
Year Completed1935 (91 years old)
NID IDND00134

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 6, 2012
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Walsh County WRB

Local Government

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Adams Dam

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Gustafson Dam; Curtis

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Soukop Dam

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Middle Branch Park River Dam 6

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Chyle Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dougherty Dam?

Dougherty 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 Dougherty Dam?

Dougherty Dam is owned by Walsh County WRB (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Dougherty Dam built?

Dougherty 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 Dougherty Dam?

Dougherty Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Dougherty Dam?

Dougherty Dam has a dam height of 20 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 Dougherty Dam last inspected?

Dougherty Dam was last inspected on August 6, 2012. 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.