Sperry Dam

Missouri River-OS· Sheridan, North Dakota· Built 1936· Earth· 25 ft tall

Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Sperry Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1936 and is 90 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height	25 ft (taller than 79.3% in ND)
Dam Length	340 ft
Dam Type	Earth
Max Storage	162 acre-ft
Normal Storage	162 acre-ft

Surface Area	27 acres
Drainage Area	2 sq mi
Year Completed	1936 (90 years old)
NID ID	ND00068

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: December 1, 1954

State Regulated: Yes

Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Sheridan County WRB

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Smith Dam; Fred 4

Burleigh, ND

Low Hazard 7 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sperry Dam?

Sperry 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 Sperry Dam?

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

When was Sperry Dam built?

Sperry Dam was completed in 1936, making it 90 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 Sperry Dam?

Sperry Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Sperry Dam?

Sperry Dam has a dam height of 25 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 Sperry Dam last inspected?

Sperry Dam was last inspected on December 1, 1954. 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.