Sunburst Lake Dam

HORSEHEAD VALLEY COULEE· Emmons, North Dakota· Built 1989· Earth· 13 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Sunburst Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1989 and is 37 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 13 ft (taller than 38.2% in ND)
Dam Length565 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage335 acre-ft
Normal Storage66 acre-ft
Surface Area31 acres
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Max Discharge3,346 cfs
Year Completed1989 (37 years old)
NID IDND00336

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: September 12, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: NDSWC

Ownership

US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sunburst Lake Dam?

Sunburst Lake 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 Sunburst Lake Dam?

Sunburst Lake Dam is owned by US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Sunburst Lake Dam built?

Sunburst Lake Dam was completed in 1989, making it 37 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 Sunburst Lake Dam?

Sunburst Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Sunburst Lake Dam?

Sunburst Lake Dam has a dam height of 13 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 Sunburst Lake Dam last inspected?

Sunburst Lake Dam was last inspected on September 12, 2016. 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.