Fordville Dam
Key Takeaway
Fordville Dam is classified as high hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1978 and is 48 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. 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 | 54 ft (taller than 96.6% in ND) |
| Dam Length | 1,875 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 10.7K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2.2K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 197 acres |
| Drainage Area | 42 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1978 (48 years old) |
| NID ID | ND00386 |
Safety Information
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?
Ownership
Grand Forks County WRB
Local Government
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What is the hazard classification of Fordville Dam?
Fordville Dam 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 Fordville Dam?
Fordville Dam is owned by Grand Forks County WRB (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Fordville Dam built?
Fordville Dam was completed in 1978, making it 48 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 Fordville Dam?
Fordville Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Fordville Dam?
Fordville Dam has a dam height of 54 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 Fordville Dam last inspected?
Fordville Dam was last inspected on August 31, 2021. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.