Elm River Detention Dam 2

About Elm River Detention Dam 2

The primary purpose of Elm River Detention Dam 2 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 Traill County Wrb (local government). It impounds the Elm River near N.

The dam stands 36 feet tall and stretches 1,800 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 107 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 6,040 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 74 square miles. Completed in 1966, 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 08/18/2021.

At 36 feet, this dam is taller than 83% of dams nationwide.

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