Wyard Dam

Pipestem Creek· Foster, North Dakota· Built 1934· Earth· 13 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Wyard Dam is classified as low hazard in North Dakota. It was completed in 1934 and is 92 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 13 ft (taller than 38.2% in ND)
Dam Length540 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.0K acre-ft
Normal Storage402 acre-ft
Surface Area98 acres
Drainage Area262 sq mi
Year Completed1934 (92 years old)
NID IDND00013

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 25, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: ND DWR

Ownership

Foster County WRB

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wyard Dam?

Wyard 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 Wyard Dam?

Wyard Dam is owned by Foster County WRB (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wyard Dam built?

Wyard Dam was completed in 1934, making it 92 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 Wyard Dam?

Wyard Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Wyard Dam?

Wyard Dam has a dam height of 13 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 Wyard Dam last inspected?

Wyard Dam was last inspected on April 25, 2019. 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.