Buch Dam dam
Buch Dam
Buch Dam, located in Benton County, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1969 by the USDA NRCS. With a height of 32 feet and a length of 440 feet, this dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. It has a storage capacity of 83 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 6 acres.
Managed by the Iowa DNR, Buch Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the state. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, it carries a moderate risk rating due to its condition assessment being not rated. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and is situated on TR-Buckeye Creek, a tributary of the Iowa River.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Buch Dam presents an interesting case study in dam infrastructure in the Midwest. Its design, construction, and purpose highlight the importance of water management for agricultural and environmental needs in the region. With its location in a rural setting and connection to the local watershed, Buch Dam serves as a vital resource for both human and wildlife populations in the area.
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 Buch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa River Near Belle Plaine | 2,110 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Elberon | 143 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Marengo | 2,450 cfs | → |
| Big Bear Creek At Ladora | 131 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek Near Hartwick | 35 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek Near Haven | 38 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Buch Dam.
Boat launches
- State Highway 21 Iowa County
- 360th Street Tama County
- P Avenue Tama County
- 216th Street Iowa County
- Atv Trail Tama
- 24th Avenue Drive Benton County
Campgrounds
- Hannen County Park
- Middle Amana Park
- Lake Iowa County Park
- Otter Creek Lake And Park
- Rodgers County Park
- Hoefle - Dulin Area County Park
More reservoirs
Track Buch 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 Buch Dam
Where does the data for Buch 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 Buch Dam.