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Map of Garrison Dam Tailrace (Missouri River)
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Garrison Dam Tailrace (Missouri River)

North Dakota, United States
AOW suggested3 m depthShore entry

Garrison Dam Tailrace (Missouri River) at a glance

Garrison Dam Tailrace (Missouri River) is a advanced shore dive site in North Dakota, United States with depths of from 3 m (10 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see American paddlefish, Shovelnose sturgeon, and Walleye. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 3h ago
—

Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Strong, variable current from dam releases, turbine noise and turbulence, very cold water year-round, low visibility, entanglement (fishing line)

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Wed
Sun7:00–22:00
Mon7:00–22:00
Tue7:00–22:00
Wed16:00–17:00
Thu7:00–22:00
Fri7:00–22:00
Sat7:00–22:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:39 · Sunrise 6:16 · Sunset 21:27

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 3h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Known for: American paddlefish, Walleye, Channel catfish
Best time: July-August, ideally during zero-release maintenance shutdowns

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. Jan62% 13 kn
  2. Feb56% 14 kn
  3. Mar62% 14 kn
  4. Apr46% 15 kn
  5. May57% 13 kn
  6. Jun64% 13 kn
  7. Jul74% 12 kn
  8. Aug71% 12 kn
  9. Sep73% 12 kn
  10. Oct54% 14 kn
  11. Nov66% 13 kn
  12. Dec68% 13 kn

July hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • American paddlefishCommonly seen
  • Shovelnose sturgeonOccasionally seen
  • WalleyeCommonly seen
  • Burbot (ling)Occasionally seen
  • Channel catfishCommonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km. Know one? Add it to the map.

Site details

The tailrace below Garrison Dam near Pick City and Riverdale, about 70 miles northwest of Bismarck, is North Dakota's signature dive: a cold, dark drift/current dive famous for close encounters with 6-7 ft American paddlefish, plus sturgeon, walleye, burbot and catfish. Water released from the bottom of Lake Sakakawea keeps the tailrace frigid year-round, and visibility tops out around 15 ft; locals time dives to zero-release (dam shutdown) periods announced by the Army Corps for calmer, clearer conditions. The riverbed downstream is the longest unaltered stretch of the Missouri system and yields bison bones and other artifacts.

driftshore

Strong, variable current from dam releases, turbine noise and turbulence, very cold water year-round, low visibility, entanglement (fishing line)

Reviews

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