Velva Sportsmans Dam Lake is a 6-acre mesotrophic lake in Ward County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 23 feet (10-foot average). Water quality is graded B based on 2 sampling years through 2021. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, and Brown Trout. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 3 other monitored lakes in Ward County, Velva Sportsmans Dam Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2021-10-11. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Good clarity, visible to about 13.6 ft. Chlorophyll-a: 6.4 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 44.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 13.6 ft | B |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 6.4 µg/L | B |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 44 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 23.2 ft |
| Average Depth | 9.9 ft |
| Surface Area | 6 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 0.6 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near Velva Sportsmans Dam Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Velva Sportsmans Dam Lake
Recreation & Access
Water Temperature
Velva Sportsmans Dam Lake averages about 60°F at the surface in summer, usually warmest in Jul (about 66°F) and coldest in Oct (about 51°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 15 field readings (2011–2021) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Velva Sportsmans Dam Lake water temperature breakdown →
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 4 lakes in Ward County
Nearby Lakes in Ward County
Explore Velva Sportsmans Dam Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across North Dakota
Fish species and best lakes in Ward County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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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)
Velva Sportsmans Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Velva Sportsman Dam (completed 1967), built primarily for recreation on the Spring Creek-TR; earth-type dam, 37 ft tall and 400 ft long.
- Surface area
- 6.2 ac
- Normal storage
- 60.2 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 145 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 1.36 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- Jerry Kittelson
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00158 · Operator website · Matched by proximity (0.19 km)
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
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: 2021-10-11
Monitoring stations: 1