Dead Colt Creek Dam Lake is a 124-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Ransom County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 39 feet (15-foot average). Water quality is graded F based on 2 sampling years through 2020. The lake supports 5 documented fish species including Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2020-10-02. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Avoid swimming, very poor water quality, potential algae toxins
Water Quality Grade: F, Very Poor
Very murky, less than 3.3 ft of visibility. Chlorophyll-a: 32.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 62.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 32.3 µg/L | F |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 62 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 39.4 ft |
| Average Depth | 15.4 ft |
| Surface Area | 124 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 4.9 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Dead Colt Creek Dam Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Dead Colt Creek Dam Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Source: USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Database. Hover a chip to see scientific name, ecological context, status, and first-observed year.
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Dead Colt Creek Dam Lake averages about 65°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 Dead Colt Creek Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Ransom County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Dead Colt Creek Dam Lake holds Grade F. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- CSilver LakeSargent County · 24.1 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
- CAlkali LakeSargent County · 26.3 mi · Two grade letters higher (F → C)
Nearby Lakes in Ransom County
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Dead Colt Creek Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Dead Colt Creek Dam (completed 1984), built primarily for flood risk reduction on the Dead Colt Creek; earth-type dam, 92 ft tall and 1,200 ft long.
- Surface area
- 124 ac
- Normal storage
- 2,208.6 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 8,901.2 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 60 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- Ransom County WRB
All listed purposes: Flood Risk Reduction;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00412 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Dead Colt Creek Dam Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2022 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit ND-09020204-005-L_00 · Official waterbody report
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
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: 2020-10-02
Monitoring stations: 1