Big Creek Diversion Dam dam
Big Creek Diversion Dam
Big Creek Diversion Dam, also known as Big Creek Lake in Polk City, Iowa, is a Federal-owned gravity dam completed in 1970 by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The primary purpose of this structure is flood risk reduction along the Big Creek river. With a height of 80 feet and a volume of 920,000 cubic yards, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 7,600 acre-feet and can discharge up to 355 cubic feet per second through its uncontrolled spillway. The dam's hazard potential is rated as high, but an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is in place to manage any potential risks.
The US Army Corps of Engineers actively manages the dam-related flood risks by regularly monitoring its condition, prioritizing necessary maintenance activities, and engaging with local emergency managers and the public to raise awareness and preparedness. The agency works to ensure the dam's structural integrity and water management capabilities are maintained, especially during severe weather events that could lead to increased water flow. The EAP is regularly updated, and emergency contacts and inundation maps are prepared to guide response efforts in case of an emergency. More detailed information specific to this dam's risk management measures will be added in the future.
Overall, the Big Creek Diversion Dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks along the Big Creek river in Iowa. With its high hazard potential, the US Army Corps of Engineers implements proactive measures to ensure the dam's functionality and readiness to respond to any potential emergencies. By working closely with local stakeholders and continuously monitoring the dam's condition, the agency aims to minimize the impact of severe weather events and maintain the safety and integrity of the structure for the surrounding community and environment.
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 Big Creek Diversion Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek Near Grimes | 643 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Saylorville | 4,250 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny | 154 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue | 5,350 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek At Des Moines | 101 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Fleur Drive | 3,040 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Creek Diversion Dam.
Track Big Creek Diversion 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 Big Creek Diversion Dam
Where does the data for Big Creek Diversion 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 Big Creek Diversion Dam.