Coralville Dam dam
Coralville Dam
Coralville Dam, located in Iowa City along the Iowa River, serves as a critical infrastructure for flood risk reduction and recreation purposes. This Federal-owned gravity dam, completed in 1958 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, stands at a height of 132 feet and has a storage capacity of 420,960 acre-feet. With a spillway width of 500 feet and a maximum discharge capability of 244,000 cubic feet per second, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and ensuring structural integrity during severe weather events.
The dam's risk management measures include continuous monitoring, prioritizing activities to mitigate risks, and engaging with emergency managers and the public to raise awareness and support emergency preparedness. USACE regularly updates the emergency action plan for the dam and performs maintenance and repairs as needed to ensure its proper functioning. While dams cannot eliminate all flood risks, USACE works diligently to address various types of flood risk associated with the Coralville Dam, emphasizing the importance of community readiness and collaboration in managing potential emergencies.
As a hub for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Coralville Dam represents a vital component of Iowa's infrastructure, safeguarding against high hazard potential and ensuring the safety and well-being of the surrounding communities. With a focus on proactive risk management and public engagement, the US Army Corps of Engineers remains committed to protecting lives and property through effective dam operations and emergency preparedness efforts.
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 Coralville Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville | 2,280 cfs | → |
| Rapid Creek Near Iowa City | 17 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Iowa City | 2,500 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Coralville | 112 cfs | → |
| Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City | 207 cfs | → |
| Hoover Crk At Hoover Nat.Hist.Site West Branch | 2 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Coralville Dam.
Boat launches
- Mehaffey Bridge Road Northeast , 52333 Iowa
- Falcon Lane Big Grove Township
- Cottage Reserve Road Northeast Big Grove Township
- Anglers Point Road Northeast Big Grove Township
- Poplar Avenue Northeast Big Grove Township
Track Coralville 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 Coralville Dam
Where does the data for Coralville 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 High 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 Coralville Dam.