Mississippi River Lock And Dam 12 dam
Mississippi River Lock And Dam 12
Mississippi River Lock and Dam 12, also known as Pool 12, is a federal structure located in Bellevue, Iowa, along the Mississippi River. Built in 1938 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this concrete dam serves primarily for navigation purposes, with a length of 8,577 feet and a hydraulic height of 9 feet. It features a single lock with dimensions of 600 feet in length and 110 feet in width, facilitating the passage of vessels along the river.
With a significant hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers to address flood risk associated with the structure. Regular monitoring, maintenance, and engagement with local emergency managers are key components of the risk management measures implemented to ensure the dam's structural integrity and the safety of downstream communities. In the event of severe weather or increased water levels, the dam may release water to manage water levels and prevent potential issues.
As a critical infrastructure along the Mississippi River, Mississippi River Lock and Dam 12 plays a vital role in water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in the region. By employing proactive risk management strategies and continuously updating emergency action plans, the US Army Corps of Engineers ensures the safe operation of the dam and enhances preparedness for potential dam-related emergencies.
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 Mississippi River Lock And Dam 12 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Apple River Near Hanover | 229 cfs | → |
| Sinsinawa River Near Menominee | 22 cfs | → |
| Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa | 1,370 cfs | → |
| North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton | 426 cfs | → |
| Pecatonica River At Darlington | 266 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Rockville | 230 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mississippi River Lock And Dam 12.
Boat launches
- Grand River Staircase Bellevue
- Great River Road Jackson County
- 482nd Avenue Jackson County
- Decatur Street Galena
- Jackson County
Track Mississippi River Lock And Dam 12 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 Mississippi River Lock And Dam 12
Where does the data for Mississippi River Lock And Dam 12 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 Mississippi River Lock And Dam 12.