Northgate Dam Lake is a 152-acre mesotrophic lake in Burke County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 24 feet (8-foot average). Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2021. The lake supports 5 documented fish species including Walleye, Bluegill, and Rainbow Trout. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Burke County, Northgate Dam Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2021-10-12. 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 9.4 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 6.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 47.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 9.4 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 6.4 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 47 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 23.6 ft |
| Average Depth | 8.2 ft |
| Surface Area | 152 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 5.4 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Northgate Dam Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Northgate Dam Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Northgate Dam Lake averages about 67°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 71°F) and coldest in Jan (about 38°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 59 field readings (2012–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Northgate Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Burke County
Nearby Lakes in Burke County
Explore Northgate Dam Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Burke County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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
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Other Grade B Lakes in North Dakota
Mesotrophic Lakes in North Dakota
More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Northgate Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Northgate Dam 2 (completed 1968), built primarily for recreation on the Stoney Run Creek; earth-type dam, 51 ft tall and 1,146 ft long.
- Surface area
- 152 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,280 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 4,200 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 72 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- Burke County WRB
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00010 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.07 km)
EPA Impairment Status
Northgate 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-09010002-002-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: 2021-10-12
Monitoring stations: 1