UPHAM LAGOON Wastewater Treatment Plant, McHenry County, North Dakota

UPHAM LAGOON is a wastewater treatment facility located in rural McHenry County, North Dakota, United States. The plant serves a small population of 130 residents, reflecting the sparse settlement pattern of the region. It is situated in the northern Great Plains, an area characterized by cold winters and low population density. The plant provides secondary treatment, which is the standard level required by the US Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater. Secondary treatment typically involves biological processes to reduce organic matter and suspended solids. The facility has a designed capacity of 75.71 units, matching its current discharge volume, indicating it operates at full capacity. As a small lagoon system, it likely uses stabilization ponds, a common technology for small communities in this region. The treated effluent from UPHAM LAGOON is discharged into local surface waters, ultimately contributing to the Souris River basin, which flows north into Canada and eventually into Hudson Bay. The plant's operation is subject to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, ensuring compliance with water quality standards to protect downstream ecosystems.

The plant discharges into the Souris River watershed, which drains northward through North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada, before reaching Hudson Bay. This region supports diverse aquatic life and migratory waterfowl. The small discharge volume and secondary treatment help maintain water quality in this sensitive prairie ecosystem.