Blacktail Dam is an earth dam located in Williams County, North Dakota, built in 1959. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification.

About Blacktail Dam

The primary purpose of Blacktail Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Nd Game & Fish (state). It impounds the Blacktail Creek near N.

The dam stands 63 feet tall and stretches 2,250 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 158 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,317 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 27 square miles. Completed in 1959, 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 05/21/2018.

At 63 feet, this dam is taller than 96% of all dams in the United States.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

Data note: Hazard potential describes the consequences if a dam failed; it does not predict the likelihood of failure. Inspection, condition, and emergency-plan fields can be incomplete or delayed. Check state dam-safety officials and local emergency managers for official guidance.
Significant HazardNot Rated ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateNorth Dakota
CountyWilliams
Nearest CityN
River/StreamBlacktail Creek
Coordinates48.43263, -103.73036

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height63 ft
Dam Height57 ft
Dam Length2,250 ft
Year Completed1959 (67 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage5,317 acre-ft
Max Storage5,317 acre-ft
Normal Storage2,668 acre-ft
Surface Area158 acres
Drainage Area27 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerND Game & Fish
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentNot Rated
Last Inspection05/21/2018
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDND00033
Federal IDND00033
More InfoState Dam Safety Program