Sykeston Dam

Pipestem Creek· Wells, North Dakota· Built 1908· Earth· 27 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Sykeston Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1908 and is 118 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 27 ft (taller than 82.9% in ND)
Dam Length1,020 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage3.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage806 acre-ft
Surface Area105 acres
Drainage Area205 sq mi
Year Completed1908 (118 years old)
NID IDND00009

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: May 9, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Wells County WRB

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Cathay Dam

Wells, ND

Low Hazard 11 ft

Wyard Dam

Foster, ND

Low Hazard 13 ft

Rosefield Slough Dam

Eddy, ND

Low Hazard 7 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sykeston Dam?

Sykeston 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 Sykeston Dam?

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

When was Sykeston Dam built?

Sykeston Dam was completed in 1908, making it 118 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 Sykeston Dam?

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

How tall is Sykeston Dam?

Sykeston Dam has a dam height of 27 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 Sykeston Dam last inspected?

Sykeston Dam was last inspected on May 9, 2018. 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.