Big Creek Barrier Dam dam
Big Creek Barrier Dam
The Big Creek Barrier Dam, also known as the Big Creek Ponding Area, is a gravity dam located in Polk City, Iowa. Completed in 1974 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam stands at a height of 84 feet and has a structural height of 83 feet. With a capacity to store 4,200 acre-feet of water, the dam primarily serves the purpose of flood risk reduction for the nearby Big Creek and Saylorville Lake.
Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Big Creek Barrier Dam has a high hazard potential and is subject to regular inspections and risk assessments. The dam is equipped with flap and slide gates for controlled water release. In the case of severe weather events or excess water inflow, the dam may release water to manage water levels and relieve pressure to maintain its structural integrity. The USACE continuously monitors the dam's condition, prioritizes risk-reducing activities, and collaborates with local emergency managers to develop emergency action plans and evacuation strategies.
Overall, the Big Creek Barrier Dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region. Through proactive risk management measures, regular maintenance, and community engagement, the US Army Corps of Engineers ensures the safety and functionality of the dam to protect the surrounding area from potential flooding incidents.
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 Barrier 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 Barrier Dam.
Track Big Creek Barrier 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 Barrier Dam
Where does the data for Big Creek Barrier 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 Barrier Dam.