Lake Zahl Dam

Pats Coulee· Williams, North Dakota· Built 1937· Earth· 9 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Zahl Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1937 and is 89 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 9 ft (taller than 12.8% in ND)
Dam Length900 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage9.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.0K acre-ft
Surface Area1,300 acres
Drainage Area53 sq mi
Year Completed1937 (89 years old)
Year Modified1988
NID IDND00348

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: June 23, 1988
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

USFWS

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Zahl Dam?

Lake Zahl 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 Zahl Dam?

Lake Zahl Dam is owned by USFWS (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Zahl Dam built?

Lake Zahl Dam was completed in 1937, making it 89 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 Zahl Dam?

Lake Zahl Dam serves the following purposes: 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 Zahl Dam?

Lake Zahl Dam has a dam height of 9 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 Zahl Dam last inspected?

Lake Zahl Dam was last inspected on June 23, 1988. 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.