PRELIMINARY DRAFT SUPPLEMENTAL WATERSHED PLAN-EA

MIDDLE SOUTH BRANCH FOREST RIVER DAM #4 (FORDVILLE DAM)

The purpose of the project is to bring the Middle South Branch Forest River Dam #4 (Fordville Dam) into compliance with current NRCS and North Dakota Department of Water Resources dam performance, design, and safety standards.  The need for the project is to improve dam safety to minimize risk to public safety downstream and to continue to mitigate flooding issues for the area downstream of the dams and provide recreational opportunities.

Current Status

The watershed rehabilitation planning process is underway. An initial public scoping meeting was held March 6, 2020. Section 106 consultation was completed on 12/18/2025. In 2025, NRCS was directed to separate the Environmental Assessment (EA) from the Watershed Plan to meet new National Environmental Policy Act guidance. The EA will be posted to this website in the fall of 2026. Both documents will be submitted to the National Water Management Center for review in the fall of 2026. Following edits, the revised plan will be submitted to NRCS National Headquarters for review. After the Draft Watershed Plan is completed,  a public meeting, formal public comment period, and final agency and tribal notifications will be conducted.