Davis Dam Lake is a 15-acre mesotrophic lake in Slope County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 6 feet (4-foot average). Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2023. The lake supports 1 documented fish species including Northern Pike. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Slope County, Davis Dam Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2023-10-05. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.5 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 4.8 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.5 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 4.8 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 5.8 ft |
| Average Depth | 4.2 ft |
| Surface Area | 15 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 4.7 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Davis Dam Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Davis Dam Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Davis Dam Lake averages about 65°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 69°F) and coldest in Oct (about 52°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 17 field readings (2011–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Davis Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Slope County
Nearby Lakes in Slope County
Explore Davis Dam Lake across LakeGrade
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Davis Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Davis Fish Dam (completed 1963), built primarily for recreation on the Spring Creek; earth-type dam, 31 ft tall and 470 ft long.
- Surface area
- 15.3 ac
- Normal storage
- 147.7 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 307.4 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 7.6 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- ND Game & Fish
All listed purposes: Recreation;Fish and Wildlife Pond.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00211 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.22 km)
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: 2023-10-05
Monitoring stations: 1