Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 5
Key Takeaway
Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 5 is classified as high hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1975 and is 51 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 70 ft (taller than 98.4% in ND) |
| Dam Length | 2,130 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 1.8K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 62 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 9 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9 sq mi |
| Year Completed | 1975 (51 years old) |
| NID ID | ND00388 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
Grand Forks County WRB
Local Government
Nearby Dams
Kolding Dam
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Significant Hazard 71 ftUpper Turtle River Flood Ret. 4
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High Hazard 52 ftGrand Forks CO Com. 1
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Low Hazard 25 ftUpper Turtle R.Fld.Ret. 7
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Low Hazard 30 ftLittle Goose Dam
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Low Hazard 15 ftUpper Turtle River Flood Ret. 8
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Significant Hazard 35 ftNiagra Township Dam 2
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Low Hazard 23 ftNiagara Railroad Dam 1
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Low Hazard 16 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 5?
Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 5 is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. 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. 5?
Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 5 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. 5 built?
Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 5 was completed in 1975, making it 51 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. 5?
Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 5 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. 5?
Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 5 has a dam height of 70 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. 5 last inspected?
Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 5 was last inspected on November 2, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.