Karey Dam

Cannonball River· Hettinger, North Dakota· Built 1930· Other· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Irrigation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Karey Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1930 and is 96 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 6% in ND)
Dam Length80 ft
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage66 acre-ft
Normal Storage53 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area283 sq mi
Year Completed1930 (96 years old)
Year Modified2020
NID IDND10005

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: May 4, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Hettinger County WRB

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Karey Dam?

Karey 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 Karey Dam?

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

When was Karey Dam built?

Karey Dam was completed in 1930, making it 96 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 Karey Dam?

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

How tall is Karey Dam?

Karey Dam has a dam height of 8 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 Karey Dam last inspected?

Karey Dam was last inspected on May 4, 2016. 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.