Morrison Dam

Tongue River-TR· Pembina, North Dakota· Built 1956· Earth· 28 ft tall
Low Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Morrison Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1956 and is 70 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 28 ft (taller than 83.9% in ND)
Dam Length330 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage101 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Year Completed1956 (70 years old)
NID IDND00048

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 12, 2013
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Pembina County WRB

Local Government

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Morrison Dam?

Morrison 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 Morrison Dam?

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

When was Morrison Dam built?

Morrison Dam was completed in 1956, making it 70 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 Morrison Dam?

Morrison Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Morrison Dam?

Morrison Dam has a dam height of 28 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 Morrison Dam last inspected?

Morrison Dam was last inspected on June 12, 2013. 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.