Murdy Dam dam
Murdy Dam
Murdy Dam, located in Appanoose County, Iowa, is a private water resource structure designed by USDA NRCS in 1973. The dam, built for fire protection and as a small fish pond, stands at 25 feet tall and spans 330 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 74 acre-feet, the dam primarily serves to provide water for stock and firefighting purposes in the region. Situated on TR-PACKARD CREEK in COAL CITY, Murdy Dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
Despite its low hazard potential, Murdy Dam is classified as having a moderate risk level, indicating the need for ongoing risk management measures. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and soil foundation contribute to its unique design features. While the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, it continues to fulfill its intended purposes effectively. With a surface area of 6 acres and a drainage area of 0.33 square miles, Murdy Dam remains a significant water management structure in the region, contributing to the overall water resource management efforts in Iowa.
As a key component of the local water infrastructure, Murdy Dam plays a vital role in providing essential water resources for agricultural, firefighting, and recreational purposes in the area. With its close proximity to the Rock Island District and oversight by the Iowa DNR, the dam serves as a crucial piece of the region's water management strategy. As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like Murdy Dam are essential for ensuring sustainable water access and management for both current and future generations of Iowans.
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 Murdy Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 56 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 19 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Novinger | 153 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Murdy Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 136 Schuyler County
- Isthmus Place Appanoose County
- Islandview Place Appanoose County
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
- Avian Court Appanoose County
Campgrounds
- Lake Wapello State Park
- Lake Wapello State Park Campground
- Unionville City Rv Park
- Lake Fisher
- Honey Creek State Park Campground
- Drakesville City Park
More reservoirs
Track Murdy 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 Murdy Dam
Where does the data for Murdy 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 Murdy Dam.