Nordell Dam

Garden Coulee· Williams, North Dakota· Built 1962· Earth· 29 ft tall
Low Hazard Irrigation Private

Key Takeaway

Nordell Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is irrigation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 29 ft (taller than 85.1% in ND)
Dam Length560 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage301 acre-ft
Normal Storage84 acre-ft
Surface Area12 acres
Drainage Area7 sq mi
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)
NID IDND00262

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: November 6, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Gregory & Deanne Heen

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Nordell Dam?

Nordell 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 Nordell Dam?

Nordell Dam is owned by Gregory & Deanne Heen (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Nordell Dam built?

Nordell Dam was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 Nordell Dam?

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

How tall is Nordell Dam?

Nordell Dam has a dam height of 29 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 Nordell Dam last inspected?

Nordell Dam was last inspected on November 6, 2020. 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.