Fordville Dam Lake is a 197-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Grand Forks County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 30 feet (10-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 6 documented fish species including Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Grand Forks County, Fordville Dam Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2024-08-05. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Fordville Dam Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Murky, only visible to about 4.4 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 5.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.4 ft | D |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 5.2 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 29.9 ft |
| Average Depth | 10.2 ft |
| Surface Area | 197 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 6.2 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Fordville Dam Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Fordville Dam Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 4 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorophyll-a | ↑ Improving | -4.21 µg/L/yr | 4 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Fordville Dam Lake averages about 67°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 73°F) and coldest in Feb (about 38°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 105 field readings (2010–2023) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Fordville Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 4 lakes in Grand Forks County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Fordville Dam Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Grand Forks County
Explore Fordville Dam Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Grand Forks 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)
Fordville Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Fordville Dam (completed 1978), built primarily for flood risk reduction on the South Branch Forest River; earth-type dam, 54 ft tall and 1,875 ft long.
- Surface area
- 197.1 ac
- Normal storage
- 2,185.6 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 10,703.4 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 41.5 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- Grand Forks County WRB
All listed purposes: Flood Risk Reduction;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00386 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Fordville 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-09020308-001-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: 2024-08-05
Monitoring stations: 3