Lake Metigoshe Dam

Oak Creek· Bottineau, North Dakota· Built 1961· Earth· 6 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Fish And Wildlife Pond Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Metigoshe Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 6 ft (taller than 0.1% in ND)
Dam Length76 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage21.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage16.1K acre-ft
Surface Area1,620 acres
Drainage Area59 sq mi
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
NID IDND00024

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 17, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Oak Creek WRB

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Metigoshe Dam?

Lake Metigoshe 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 Lake Metigoshe Dam?

Lake Metigoshe Dam is owned by Oak Creek WRB (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Metigoshe Dam built?

Lake Metigoshe Dam was completed in 1961, making it 65 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 Lake Metigoshe Dam?

Lake Metigoshe Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Metigoshe Dam?

Lake Metigoshe Dam has a dam height of 6 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 Lake Metigoshe Dam last inspected?

Lake Metigoshe Dam was last inspected on May 17, 2018. 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.