Valley City Mill Dam

Sheyenne River· Barnes, North Dakota· Built 1882· Other· 19 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Valley City Mill Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1882 and is 144 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 19 ft (taller than 63% in ND)
Dam Length70 ft
Dam TypeOther
Max Storage317 acre-ft
Normal Storage131 acre-ft
Surface Area44 acres
Drainage Area7,810 sq mi
Year Completed1882 (144 years old)
NID IDND00245

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: April 30, 2018
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Valley City Mun. Utility

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Valley City Mill Dam?

Valley City Mill 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 Valley City Mill Dam?

Valley City Mill Dam is owned by Valley City Mun. Utility (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Valley City Mill Dam built?

Valley City Mill Dam was completed in 1882, making it 144 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 Valley City Mill Dam?

Valley City Mill 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 Valley City Mill Dam?

Valley City Mill Dam has a dam height of 19 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 Valley City Mill Dam last inspected?

Valley City Mill Dam was last inspected on April 30, 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.