Clausen Springs Dam
Clausen Springs Dam is an earth dam located in Barnes County, North Dakota, built in 1967. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Clausen Springs Dam
The primary purpose of Clausen Springs Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Barnes County Wrb (local government). It impounds the Spring Creek near Kathryn.
The dam stands 52 feet tall and stretches 700 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 42 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,274 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 86 square miles. Completed in 1967, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/10/2022.
At 52 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The North Dakota dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | North Dakota |
| County | Barnes |
| Nearest City | Kathryn |
| River/Stream | Spring Creek |
| Coordinates | 46.68322, -98.03687 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 52 ft |
| Dam Height | 48 ft |
| Dam Length | 700 ft |
| Year Completed | 1967 (59 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,274 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,274 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 639 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 42 acres |
| Drainage Area | 86 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Barnes County WRB |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 10/10/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ND00029 |
| Federal ID | ND00029 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |