The 10 Most Dangerous Water Bodies In North Dakota
H2O in North Dakota
We may not be the land of 10,000 lakes like our neighbors to the east in Minnesota, but we do have our fair share of bodies of water. According to the North Dakota Game and Fish, we have approximately 4,500 lakes and a total of 440 managed fishing waters. While the state has thousands of natural lakes, ponds, and wetlands, the vast majority are smaller prairie potholes or seasonal waters.
(SEE ALSO: The 11 Best Lakes in North Dakota)
North Dakota lakes and rivers are very popular spots for anglers, as we have some of the best fishing in the entire country for walleye, perch, and pike. Fishermen come from all over the country to fish our waters. Combine that with recreational boaters, pontoons, and personal watercrafts, and it can get crowded at times on our water bodies, and even dangerous.
The Cause of Dangerous Waters in the State
I looked into incident trackings from the North Dakota Game and Fish Departments Enforcement Division Annual Reports, the U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics, and the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality for HAB Advisories to determine the top 10 most dangerous water bodies.
The 10 Most Dangerous Water Bodies in North Dakota
10. Homme Dam - Located in northeastern North Dakota, this smaller reservoir has drawn increased concern from environmental and safety officials. It has a heavy agricultural runoff, which can lead to bad blue-green algae blooms.
9. Jamestown Reservoir/Pimpestem Lake - Changing water levels can wreak havoc for boaters with the increased likelihood of striking shallow rock points.
8. Lake Metigoshe - One of the busiest lakes in the state, tucked in the beautiful Turtle Mountains, this lake is packed with cabins and plenty of watercraft traffic. Because this is a relatively small waterbody with lots of people in the summertime, it can become dangerous with crowding.
7. Lake Tschida (Heart Bute Reservoir) - Another very popular place for campers, boating, fishing, and jet skiing. Heavy weekend congestion increases the risk of collisions between vessels. This water body also has blue-green algae blooms quite frequently.
6. Bowman-Haley Lake - Another heavily used recreational lake for southwestern North Dakota residents. Much like Lake Tschida, it faces risks with crowding and water quality, with frequent blue-green algae blooms.
5. Red River of the North - I grew up on this river in Grand Forks, and there have been numerous deaths on this waterbody just about every year I can remember. The river has very dangerous undertows; in fact, it's against the law to even swim in it in the city of Grand Forks.
4. Lake Oahe - This massive reservoir begins south of Bismarck and extends well into South Dakota. The sheer size of this water body leaves boaters vulnerable to a variety of hazards.
3. The Missouri River - Specfically the Bismarck-Mandan area. I've witnessed the dense recreational and fishing boat traffic firsthand. Narrow river channels with constantly changing sandbars can really be a serious hazard. The river also features strong, deceptive currents that can be a challenge for even the best swimmers.
2. Devils Lake - The largest natural body of water in the state. It's world-renowned for fishing, but it has numerous structural risks. You'd better know where you are going on this lake. Numerous shallow points, with tree stumps and rocks, along with old road beds, can create very hazardous situations for boaters. I recall one incident, a few years back, where a recreational boater loaded with people crashed into a tree at 60 miles per hour, one evening after a party. It didn't end well.
1. Lake Sakakawea - The state's largest body of water, and the third-largest man-made reservoir in the United States. This massive lake has a very high volume of boaters, turning it into a statistical hotspot for accidents.
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Gallery Credit: Sophia Crisafulli