Arnegard Dam Lake
McKenzie County, North Dakota24 acresView mapDirections
Nutrients and algae sit mid-range for this region.
↓ down from A at the last regrade
- Mesotrophic
- #3 of 3 in the county
- Public access
- Limited data
Arnegard Dam Lake in McKenzie County, North Dakota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 209 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.1 µg/L. Surface area: 24.2 acres.
- Area
- 24 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Public access
- Yes
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Watch Arnegard Dam Lake’s letter
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Arnegard Dam Lake is a 24-acre mesotrophic lake in McKenzie County, North Dakota. Water quality is graded C based on 3 sampling years through 2023. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in McKenzie County, Arnegard Dam Lake ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, NDDEQ, last sampled 2023-07-15. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Arnegard Dam Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
No clarity data. Phosphorus 209 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a 3.1 µg/L. TSI 61. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 209 µg/L | Poor |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.1 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 61 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 24 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Arnegard Dam Lake, so its depth is not documented here.
Recreation & Access
- Arnegard DamPublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Arnegard Dam Lake
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Arnegard Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Arnegard Dam (completed 1935), built primarily for recreation on the Timber Creek; earth-type dam, 14 ft tall and 1,700 ft long.
- Surface area
- 24.2 ac
- Normal storage
- 85.5 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 287.4 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 18.8 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- McKenzie County WRB
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00195 · Operator website
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 3 lakes in McKenzie County
Nearby Lakes in McKenzie County
Frequently asked questions about Arnegard Dam Lake
Where is Arnegard Dam Lake?
- Arnegard Dam Lake is a lake in McKenzie County, North Dakota. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Arnegard Dam Lake?
- Arnegard Dam Lake in McKenzie County, North Dakota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 209 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 3.1 µg/L. Surface area: 24.2 acres.
Is Arnegard Dam Lake safe to swim in?
- The C is nutrients and algae, not a swimming clearance. Check local advisories before you swim.
Are there boat ramps on Arnegard Dam Lake?
- Arnegard Dam Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Arnegard Dam. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Arnegard Dam Lake across LakeQuality
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Other Grade C Lakes in North Dakota
Mesotrophic Lakes in North Dakota
Where this data comes from
15 measurements from 3 monitoring stations, 2023. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- North Dakota Department Of Environmental Quality
21NDHDWQ_WQX15 samples · 2023
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 447.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll a and b in phytoplankton by HPLC/UV
- 4500 NO3 E ~ Nitrate in Water- Cadmium Reduction
Monitoring station identifiers (3)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory