Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1

Skunk Coulee-TR· Grand Forks, North Dakota· Built 1977· Earth· 38 ft tall
Significant Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1 is classified as significant hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 38 ft (taller than 91.2% in ND)
Dam Length6,625 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage110 acre-ft
Surface Area40 acres
Drainage Area17 sq mi
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)
NID IDND00395

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: July 19, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Grand Forks County WRB

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1?

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1 is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1?

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1 is owned by Grand Forks County WRB (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1 built?

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1 was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1?

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1?

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1 has a dam height of 38 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 Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1 last inspected?

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 1 was last inspected on July 19, 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.