The lower than normal reservoir water depth immediately upstream of the service spillway gate is currently about one foot deep and it is anticipated that the area extending to about 100 feet upstream of the gate will freeze solid over the winter. Water circulated through de-icing system pipes located along the upstream side of the gate will be unable to flow back into the reservoir when the reservoir freezes over. It is believed that a large ice buildup could occur upstream of the gate and that ice would likely accumulate around and within the de-icing system pipes. This ice accumulation would cause significant damage to the de-icing system pipes.

Lowering the lake level about one foot as planned prior to freeze-up could prevent having to lower the lake level next year to repair damages.

Dickinson Dam is a homogeneous earthfill structure across the Heart River, 1.5 miles west of Dickinson, North Dakota. It has a structural height of 62 feet and is 2,275 feet long across the crest. Dickinson Dam and Reservoir store water for irrigating valley lands downstream from the dam. Additional benefits of Dickinson Dam and Reservoir include flood control, fish and wildlife and recreation.

For more information, please call Arden Freitag at 701.221.1250.