Middle Branch Park River 8
Middle Branch Park River 8 is an earth dam located in Walsh County, North Dakota, built in 1970. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.
About Middle Branch Park River 8
The primary purpose of Middle Branch Park River 8 is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by Walsh County Wrb (local government). It impounds the Middle Branch Park River near Grafton.
The dam stands 79 feet tall and stretches 2,400 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 20 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,615 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 20 square miles. Completed in 1970, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 05/08/2018.
At 79 feet, this dam is taller than 97% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | North Dakota |
| County | Walsh |
| Nearest City | Grafton |
| River/Stream | Middle Branch Park River |
| Coordinates | 48.52681, -97.94632 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 79 ft |
| Dam Height | 70 ft |
| Dam Length | 2,400 ft |
| Year Completed | 1970 (56 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 3,615 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 3,615 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 131 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 20 acres |
| Drainage Area | 20 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Walsh County WRB |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 05/08/2018 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | ND00082 |
| Federal ID | ND00082 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |