Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 9

South Branch Turtle River· Grand Forks, North Dakota· Built 1979· Earth· 68 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 9 is classified as high hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1979 and is 47 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 68 ft (taller than 98.1% in ND)
Dam Length1,040 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage10.4K acre-ft
Normal Storage823 acre-ft
Surface Area72 acres
Drainage Area65 sq mi
Year Completed1979 (47 years old)
NID IDND00391

Safety Information

High Hazard

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?

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
Last Inspection: November 2, 2022
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. 9?

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 9 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. 9?

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 9 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. 9 built?

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 9 was completed in 1979, making it 47 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. 9?

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 9 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Recreation. 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. 9?

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 9 has a dam height of 68 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. 9 last inspected?

Upper Turtle River Flood Ret. 9 was last inspected on November 2, 2022. 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.