Mcville Dam Lake is a 33-acre mesotrophic lake in Nelson County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 25 feet (9-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2025. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 8 other monitored lakes in Nelson County, Mcville Dam Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2025-10-23. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 6.9 ft. Trophic State Index: 49.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 6.9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 49 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 24.7 ft |
| Average Depth | 9.3 ft |
| Surface Area | 33 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 2.6 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Mcville Dam Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Mcville Dam Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Mcville Dam Lake averages about 66°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Aug (about 71°F) and coldest in Oct (about 48°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 18 field readings (2016–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Mcville Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 9 lakes in Nelson County
Nearby Lakes in Nelson County
Explore Mcville Dam Lake across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Nelson County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
North Dakota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More North Dakota Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in North Dakota
Mesotrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Mcville Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Mcville Railroad Dam (completed 1910), built primarily for water supply on the McVille Coulee; earth-type dam, 37 ft tall and 600 ft long.
- Surface area
- 33.4 ac
- Normal storage
- 357 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 701.2 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 13 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- City of McVille
All listed purposes: Water Supply;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00177 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.09 km)
EPA Impairment Status
Mcville Dam Lake 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-09020203-007-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: 2025-10-23
Monitoring stations: 1