West Chain Lake Dam

CHAIN LAKES-TR· Ramsey, North Dakota· Built 1997· Earth· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Fish And Wildlife Pond Federal Government

Key Takeaway

West Chain Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1997 and is 29 years old. Its primary use is fish and wildlife pond.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 6% in ND)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage742 acre-ft
Surface Area223 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1997 (29 years old)
NID IDND00844

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

US FISH & WILDLIFE

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of West Chain Lake Dam?

West Chain Lake 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 West Chain Lake Dam?

West Chain Lake Dam is owned by US FISH & WILDLIFE (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was West Chain Lake Dam built?

West Chain Lake Dam was completed in 1997, making it 29 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 West Chain Lake Dam?

West Chain Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Fish And Wildlife Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is West Chain Lake Dam?

West Chain Lake Dam has a dam height of 8 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.

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.