White Earth Dam Lake is a 160-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Mountrail County, North Dakota with a maximum depth of 20 feet (7-foot average). Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2024. The lake supports 5 documented fish species including Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 4 other monitored lakes in Mountrail County, White Earth Dam Lake ranks #2 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, North Dakota DNR, last sampled 2024-10-03. 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 | 19.5 ft |
| Average Depth | 7.3 ft |
| Surface Area | 160 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 5.6 mi |
| Public Access | Yes |
Where to stay near White Earth Dam Lake
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing White Earth Dam Lake
Recreation & Access
Current Conditions
Latest reading Jul 6, 2026, 4:30 AM from USGS gauge 06331885. See live data ↗ — readings update every 15–60 minutes; this page refreshes on each build.
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #2 of 5 lakes in Mountrail County
Cleaner Lakes Within 30 Miles
White Earth Dam Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher grade.
See full comparison →Nearby Lakes in Mountrail County
Explore White Earth Dam Lake across LakeGrade
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Fish species and best lakes in Mountrail County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at North Dakota's top lakes, each with its grade
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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More records, surveys & data sources
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
White Earth Dam Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the White Earth Dam (completed 1970), built primarily for recreation on the White Earth River; earth-type dam, 46 ft tall and 1,360 ft long.
- Surface area
- 160.2 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,553.7 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 4,239 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 280 sq mi
- Hazard class
- High
- Owner
- Mountrail County WRB
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID ND00034 · Operator website
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: 2024-10-03
Monitoring stations: 1