Balta Dam Lake is a 18-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Pierce County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 14 feet (6-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2020. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Northern Pike. Public access is available with 3 public boat landings. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Pierce County, Balta Dam Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2020-10-09. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Balta Dam Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Swim with caution, moderate algae may be present
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 5.2 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 17.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 56.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.2 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 17.9 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 56 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 14.3 ft |
| Average Depth | 5.9 ft |
| Surface Area | 18 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 4.2 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Balta Dam Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Balta Dam Lake in Pierce County, North Dakota — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Balta Dam Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Balta Dam Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Balta Dam Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at North Dakota’s top lakes →
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Balta Dam Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Balta Dam Lake averages about 63°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 67°F) and coldest in May (about 50°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 12 field readings (2020–2020) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Balta Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 3 lakes in Pierce County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Balta Dam Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- ARound LakeMcHenry County · 13.8 mi · Two grade letters higher (C → A)
- CHarvey Dam LakeWells County · 28.1 mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Pierce County
Explore Balta Dam Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Pierce County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in North Dakota
Eutrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Balta Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Balta Dam (completed 1937), built primarily for recreation on the North Fork Sheyenne River; earth-type dam, 26 ft tall and 700 ft long.
- Surface area
- 18 ac
- Normal storage
- 96 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 161 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 18 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Pierce County WRB
All listed purposes: Recreation;Fish and Wildlife Pond.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00016 · Operator website
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2020-10-09
Monitoring stations: 1