Heinze Dam

Sheyenne River-TR· Barnes, North Dakota· Built 1966· Earth· 27 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Heinze Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1966 and is 60 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 27 ft (taller than 82.9% in ND)
Dam Length450 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage262 acre-ft
Normal Storage97 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Year Completed1966 (60 years old)
NID IDND00296

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Barnes County WRB

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Heinze Dam?

Heinze 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 Heinze Dam?

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

When was Heinze Dam built?

Heinze Dam was completed in 1966, making it 60 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 Heinze Dam?

Heinze 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 Heinze Dam?

Heinze Dam has a dam height of 27 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.

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.