Yates Dam dam
Yates Dam
Yates Dam, located in Rathbun, Iowa, is a privately-owned structure designed by USDA NRCS and regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Completed in 1972, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and spans 420 feet, with a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and creating a small fish pond, while also providing low hazard potential according to risk assessments.
Situated on TR-Little Walnut Creek, Yates Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area, with a drainage area of 0.14 square miles and a surface area of 4 acres. Despite its moderate risk rating, the dam has not been rated for its overall condition, and there is limited information available regarding its inspection and emergency preparedness measures. As a key structure in the Rock Island District, Yates Dam's operations are overseen by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, emphasizing the importance of its role in maintaining water quality and quantity in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Yates Dam presents an intriguing case study of a privately-owned earth dam that serves multiple purposes while facing moderate risk levels. With its location in Appanoose County, Iowa, and its association with the USDA NRCS, the dam offers insights into the challenges and opportunities of managing water resources in a changing climate. As efforts continue to assess and monitor the condition of Yates Dam, it remains a focal point for ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources 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 Yates Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 29 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 64 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 84 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 37 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Yates Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Islandview Place Appanoose County
- Isthmus Place Appanoose County
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
- Husky Place Appanoose County
- Avian Court Appanoose County
Track Yates 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 Yates Dam
Where does the data for Yates 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 Low 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 Yates Dam.