Map of All 950 North Dakota Dams
North Dakota has 950 dams in the National Inventory of Dams — and 55 are classified as high hazard (6% of the state’s total), meaning failure would likely cause loss of life. 12 North Dakota dams are both high-hazard and in poor or unsatisfactory condition.
Use the interactive North Dakota dams map below to explore every dam in the state, color-coded by hazard level. Click any dam for its condition assessment, last inspection date, and Emergency Action Plan status. Or view the full US Dams interactive map to compare North Dakota to every other state.
Hazard
Condition
Purpose
North Dakota Dams by the Numbers
- 950 total dams in North Dakota
- 55 high hazard — failure would likely cause loss of life
- 64 significant hazard
- 786 low hazard
- 35 in poor or unsatisfactory condition (35 poor, 0 unsatisfactory)
- 12 North Dakota dams are both high-hazard AND in poor/unsatisfactory condition
Data source: US Army Corps of Engineers, National Inventory of Dams (NID).
The Tallest Dams in North Dakota
The tallest dam in North Dakota is Garrison Dam at 210 feet, completed in 1953. The 10 tallest North Dakota dams from the National Inventory of Dams:
| Dam | Height | Year | Primary Purpose | Condition | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garrison Dam | 210 ft | 1953 | Hydroelectric | Not Available | Mercer |
| Heart Butte Dam | 142 ft | 1949 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Grant |
| Pipestem Dam | 110 ft | 1974 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Stutsman |
| Jamestown Dam | 110 ft | 1954 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Available | Stutsman |
| Senator Young Dam | 96 ft | 1961 | Flood Risk Reduction | Poor | Cavalier |
| Garrison Dam – Snake Creek Embankment | 95 ft | 1952 | Other | Not Available | McLean |
| Dead Colt Creek Dam | 92 ft | 1984 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Rated | Ransom |
| Maple River Dam | 89 ft | 2006 | Flood Risk Reduction | Satisfactory | Cass |
| Middle Branch Park River Dam 5 | 87 ft | 2006 | Flood Risk Reduction | Not Rated | Walsh |
| Square Butte Creek Dam 6 | 81 ft | 2007 | Recreation | Not Rated | Morton |
High-Hazard North Dakota Dams in Poor Condition
The most concerning dams are those classified as high-hazard that also carry a Poor or Unsatisfactory condition rating — 12 dams in North Dakota. Notable examples:
- Senator Young Dam (96 ft, Cavalier County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
- Matejcek Dam (76 ft, Walsh County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
- Olson Dam (74 ft, Pembina County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
- Bylin Dam (60 ft, Walsh County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
- Fordville Dam (54 ft, Grand Forks County) — Flood Risk Reduction, Poor condition
Filter the interactive US Dams map by hazard and condition to see all of them on one view.
Dam Safety in North Dakota
Dam safety in North Dakota is overseen by the state dam safety program, in coordination with federal regulators: the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation (for federal water projects), the Tennessee Valley Authority where applicable, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for licensed hydropower dams. Emergency Action Plans are typically required for high-hazard dams under state regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many dams are in North Dakota?
North Dakota has 950 dams in the National Inventory of Dams tracked by the US Army Corps of Engineers: 55 high hazard, 64 significant hazard, and 786 low hazard.
What is the tallest dam in North Dakota?
The tallest dam in North Dakota is Garrison Dam at 210 feet, completed in 1953. It is primarily a hydroelectric structure.
How many North Dakota dams are in poor condition?
35 North Dakota dams are currently rated as being in Poor or Unsatisfactory condition. Of those, 12 are also classified as high-hazard — meaning failure would likely cause loss of life.
