Saylorville Dam dam
Saylorville Dam
Saylorville Dam, also known as Saylorville Lake, is a gravity-type dam located on the Des Moines River in Iowa. Completed in 1975 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves primarily for flood risk reduction, but also supports recreational activities and water supply. With a height of 119 feet and a volume of 8.4 million cubic yards, the dam has a maximum storage capacity of 641,000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 5,520 acres.
Despite the high hazard potential associated with the dam, a risk assessment conducted by the USACE in 2015 classified the risk as low due to the dam's well-designed, constructed, and maintained structure. However, there is a very remote risk of dam failure under extreme conditions, which could lead to devastating floods reaching depths greater than 15 feet in downtown Des Moines. To mitigate these risks, the USACE implements various risk management measures including regular updates to the Emergency Action Plan, coordination with state and local agencies, conducting emergency exercises, and continuous monitoring and maintenance of the dam.
In an effort to enhance communication and awareness of the dam's risks and management strategies, the USACE is developing a detailed communication plan and engaging with stakeholders, emergency managers, and the public. With a focus on proactive management and prevention measures, including updates to water control manuals and early reservoir releases, Saylorville Dam remains a crucial infrastructure for flood protection and water resource management in the region.
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 Saylorville Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River Near Saylorville | 4,250 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Grimes | 643 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 Saylorville Dam.
Track Saylorville 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 Saylorville Dam
Where does the data for Saylorville 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 Saylorville Dam.