Indian Creek Dam Lake is a 236-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Hettinger County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 30 feet (10-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2023. The lake supports 5 documented fish species including Walleye, Bluegill, and Yellow Perch. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 2 other monitored lakes in Hettinger County, Indian Creek Dam Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2023-10-10. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Very murky, less than 3.1 ft of visibility. Chlorophyll-a: 8.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 56.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.1 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 8.2 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 56 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 30 ft |
| Average Depth | 9.7 ft |
| Surface Area | 236 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 7.8 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Indian Creek Dam Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Indian Creek Dam Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Indian Creek Dam Lake averages about 66°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 70°F) and coldest in Oct (about 49°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 Indian Creek Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 3 lakes in Hettinger County
Nearby Lakes in Hettinger County
Explore Indian Creek Dam Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Hettinger 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)
Indian Creek Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Indian Creek Dam (completed 1979), built primarily for recreation on the Indian Creek; earth-type dam, 43 ft tall and 890 ft long.
- Surface area
- 236 ac
- Normal storage
- 2,661 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 5,648 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 14 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- ND Game & Fish
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00397 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Indian 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-10130204-006-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: 2023-10-10
Monitoring stations: 1