Jamestown Reservoir is a 17,427-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Stutsman County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 36 feet (14-foot average). Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2025. The lake supports 9 documented fish species including Northern Pike, Walleye, and Black Crappie. Public access is available with 5 public boat landings. Compared to the 6 other monitored lakes in Stutsman County, Jamestown Reservoir ranks #3 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2025-09-23. 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 7.2 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 8.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 50.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.2 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 8.5 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 50 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 36.2 ft |
| Average Depth | 14.2 ft |
| Surface Area | 17,427 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 31 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Jamestown Reservoir
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Jamestown Reservoir
Recreation & Access
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #3 of 7 lakes in Stutsman County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Jamestown Reservoir holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Stutsman County
Explore Jamestown Reservoir across LakeGrade
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Jamestown Reservoir is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Jamestown Dam (completed 1954), built primarily for flood risk reduction on the JAMES RIVER; earth-type dam, 110 ft tall and 1,418 ft long.
- Surface area
- 17,427 ac
- Normal storage
- 35,535 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 379,636 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 1,573.65 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
All listed purposes: Flood Risk Reduction;Irrigation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00151 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Jamestown Reservoir 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-10160001-002-L_00 · Official waterbody report
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Jamestown Reservoir under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Apld Jamestown DatacenterJamestown · 4.1 mi away · NPDES ND0027073Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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: 2025-09-23
Monitoring stations: 2