Bowman-Haley Dam Lake is a 1,750-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Bowman County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 28 feet (11-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 9 documented fish species including Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Bowman County, Bowman-Haley Dam Lake ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2025-09-30. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Bowman-Haley Dam Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 3.9 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 13.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 57.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.9 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 13.4 µg/L | C |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 57 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 27.8 ft |
| Average Depth | 10.8 ft |
| Surface Area | 1,750 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 23.9 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Bowman-Haley Dam Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Bowman-Haley Dam Lake in Bowman 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 Bowman-Haley 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 Bowman-Haley Dam Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Bowman-Haley 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 Bowman-Haley Dam Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.45 m/yr | 2 |
| Chlorophyll-a | → Stable | +0.25 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Bowman-Haley Dam Lake averages about 70°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 72°F) and coldest in May (about 55°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 731 field readings (2010–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Bowman-Haley Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 4 lakes in Bowman County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Bowman-Haley Dam Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BLutz Dam LakeBowman County · 21.2 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- CKalina Dam LakeBowman County · 15.6 mi · Higher overall water quality score
Nearby Lakes in Bowman County
Explore Bowman-Haley Dam Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Bowman 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)
Bowman-Haley Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Bowman-Haley Dam (completed 1967), built primarily for flood risk reduction on the NORTH FORK GRAND RIVER; earth-type dam, 79 ft tall and 5,730 ft long.
- Surface area
- 1,750 ac
- Normal storage
- 19,780 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 171,838 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 471 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- USACE - Omaha District
All listed purposes: Flood Risk Reduction;Recreation;Water Supply.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00147 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Bowman-Haley Dam Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit ND-10130301-001-L_00 · Official waterbody report
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
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: 2025-09-30
Monitoring stations: 1