Volga Lake Dam dam
Volga Lake Dam
Volga Lake Dam, located in Fayette County, Iowa, is a state-regulated structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1980 by BRICE, PETRIDES, ASSOC. INC, this earth dam stands at a height of 45 feet and spans 1710 feet in length. The dam has a storage capacity of 3808 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 1670 acre-feet, and covers a surface area of 135 acres.
The dam's spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 12 feet, and it is situated on the Volga River. Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam is in satisfactory condition and undergoes inspections every 5 years. The risk assessment for Volga Lake Dam is moderate, with a DSAC not assigned as of yet. With its picturesque location and importance for recreation, Volga Lake Dam serves as a vital water resource and a key landmark in the region for water and climate enthusiasts to explore and appreciate.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Volga Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey River Near Eldorado | 379 cfs | → |
| Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader | 868 cfs | → |
| Volga River At Littleport | 203 cfs | → |
| Turkey River At Spillville | 107 cfs | → |
| Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli | 116 cfs | → |
| Turkey River At Garber | 960 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Volga Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Canoe Road Fayette County
- County Highway B64 Fayette County
- River Street Clermont
- Agate Road 10568, Clayton County
- Nature Road 14177, Fayette County
- Sunset Road Fayette County
Campgrounds
- Volga River State Rec Area
- Volga River State Recreation Area
- Echo Valley Park
- Klocks Island Park
- Klocks Island City Park Campground
- Dutton Cave County Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
- The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
- The Town Of Bluffton To The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek
- The Minnesota-Iowa State Border To Ends Near The Town Of Bluffton, Iowa
- The Big Green River To The River's Mouth At The Mississippi River
Track Volga Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Volga Lake Dam
Where does the data for Volga Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Significant hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Volga Lake Dam.