Mt Carmel Dam Lake is a 386-acre mesotrophic lake in Cavalier County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 31 feet (12-foot average). Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 4 documented fish species including Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2025-10-22. 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 7.9 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 6.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 48.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 6.2 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 48 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 31.2 ft |
| Average Depth | 12.1 ft |
| Surface Area | 386 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 14.9 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Mt Carmel Dam Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Mt Carmel Dam Lake
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.088 m/yr | 2 |
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Mt Carmel Dam Lake averages about 66°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 68°F) and coldest in Oct (about 43°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 20 field readings (2020–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Mt Carmel Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Cavalier County
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Mt Carmel Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Mount Carmel Dam (completed 1971), built primarily for recreation on the Little South Pembina River; earth-type dam, 47 ft tall and 650 ft long.
- Surface area
- 386 ac
- Normal storage
- 5,013 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 10,707 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 72 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- Cavalier County WRB
All listed purposes: Recreation;Water Supply.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00005 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.24 km)
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
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: 2025-10-22
Monitoring stations: 1