Belfield Dam Lake is a 9-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Stark County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 16 feet (8-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2023. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch, and Channel Catfish. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Stark County, Belfield Dam Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2023-10-24. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 3.8 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 5.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 52.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.8 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5.2 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 52 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 16.3 ft |
| Average Depth | 7.7 ft |
| Surface Area | 9 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 0.8 mi |
Where to stay near Belfield Dam Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Belfield Dam Lake
Water Temperature
Belfield Dam Lake averages about 65°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 68°F) and coldest in Oct (about 47°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 14 field readings (2023–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Belfield Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 3 lakes in Stark County
Nearby Lakes in Stark County
Explore Belfield Dam Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Stark County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Belfield Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Belfield Railroad Dam (completed 1910), built primarily for recreation on the Norwegian Creek; earth-type dam, 20 ft tall.
- Surface area
- 8.9 ac
- Normal storage
- 70 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 127 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 0.67 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- City of Belfield
All listed purposes: Recreation;Fish and Wildlife Pond.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00459 · Operator website
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Belfield Dam Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Belfield City OfBelfield · 1.4 mi away · NPDES ND0022144Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Depth, fish, and access data from North Dakota Game & Fish
Most recent sample: 2023-10-24
Monitoring stations: 1