Senator Young Dam

Tongue River· Cavalier, North Dakota· Built 1961· Earth· 85 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Senator Young Dam is classified as high hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1961 and is 65 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 85 ft (taller than 99.8% in ND)
Dam Length1,529 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage6.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage447 acre-ft
Surface Area39 acres
Drainage Area54 sq mi
Year Completed1961 (65 years old)
Year Modified1997
NID IDND00055

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: November 3, 2022
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Pembina County WRB

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Senator Young Dam?

Senator Young Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Senator Young Dam?

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

When was Senator Young Dam built?

Senator Young 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 Senator Young Dam?

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

How tall is Senator Young Dam?

Senator Young Dam has a dam height of 85 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 Senator Young Dam last inspected?

Senator Young Dam was last inspected on November 3, 2022. 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.