Stephens Dam; Wilbur

Missouri River-TR· Mercer, North Dakota· Built 1984· Earth· 23 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Stephens Dam; Wilbur is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1984 and is 42 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 73.3% in ND)
Dam Length0 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage127 acre-ft
Normal Storage16 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1984 (42 years old)
NID IDND00489

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Rusty Stephens

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Stephens Dam; Wilbur?

Stephens Dam; Wilbur 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 Stephens Dam; Wilbur?

Stephens Dam; Wilbur is owned by Rusty Stephens (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Stephens Dam; Wilbur built?

Stephens Dam; Wilbur was completed in 1984, making it 42 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 Stephens Dam; Wilbur?

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

How tall is Stephens Dam; Wilbur?

Stephens Dam; Wilbur has a dam height of 23 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.

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.