Renwick Dam Lake is a 223-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Pembina County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 16 feet (6-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2025. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie. 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
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Very murky, less than 3 ft of visibility. Chlorophyll-a: 3.5 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 52.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3 ft | F |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 3.5 µg/L | A |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 52 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 16.3 ft |
| Average Depth | 6.2 ft |
| Surface Area | 223 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 6.7 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Renwick Dam Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Renwick Dam Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Renwick Dam Lake averages about 66°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jun (about 72°F) and coldest in Sep (about 51°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 25 field readings (2016–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Renwick Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 1 lakes in Pembina County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
Renwick Dam Lake holds Grade C. 2 nearby lakes hold higher grades.
- BMt Carmel Dam LakeCavalier County · 25.5 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
- BHomme Dam LakeWalsh County · 25.6 mi · Higher grade (C → B)
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Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Renwick Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Renwick Dam (completed 1962), built primarily for flood risk reduction on the Tongue River; earth-type dam, 49 ft tall and 1,400 ft long.
- Surface area
- 223 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,478 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 11,658 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 144 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- Pembina County WRB
All listed purposes: Flood Risk Reduction;Recreation.
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00054 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Renwick 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-09020316-002-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: 2025-10-22
Monitoring stations: 3