CatFIsh Capital’s low head dam to be replaced by safer rock rapids dam

Project expected to be completed this summer

  • The outdated low head dam has a legacy of dangerous rolling currents far deeper than it appears. Photo by Hilary Nowatzki.
    The outdated low head dam has a legacy of dangerous rolling currents far deeper than it appears. Photo by Hilary Nowatzki.
  • This graphic illustrates the dangers of the ‘roller effect’. Photo courtesy of North Dakota Water Resources.
    This graphic illustrates the dangers of the ‘roller effect’. Photo courtesy of North Dakota Water Resources.
    Nestled along the Red River, the Catfish Capital of the North is receiving an addition to its waters! Drayton Dam, tucked slightly northeast of American Crystal Sugar, is a low head dam - meaning it is essentially a concrete wall spanning the width of the river. Approximately a century ago, low head dams like Drayton’s popped up all around North Dakota to enhance livestock watering,...

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