Iowa Noname6 dam
Iowa Noname6
Iowa Noname6 is a privately owned dam located in Boone County, Iowa, along the Des Moines River. Built in 1963 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a length of 421 feet. The primary purposes of the dam include fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and recreation. With a storage capacity of 143 acre-feet, the dam covers a surface area of 4 acres and drains a 0.31 square mile watershed.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Noname6 is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state agencies. Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure, the dam is considered to have a moderate risk level. However, its condition assessment is currently not rated, and no emergency action plan (EAP) has been prepared. With its location in the Rock Island District and oversight by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Iowa Noname6 serves as a crucial structure for water resource management in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Iowa Noname6 presents an interesting case study in dam infrastructure. Its design and construction by USDA NRCS, private ownership, and multi-purpose usage highlight the complex interplay between human development and natural ecosystems. With ongoing regulatory oversight and risk management efforts, this dam underscores the importance of maintaining and monitoring critical water infrastructure to ensure public safety and environmental sustainability in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Iowa Noname6 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Squaw Creek At Ames | 396 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River Below Squaw Creek Near Ames | 1,320 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River Near Ames | 638 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Grimes | 643 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Stratford | 3,960 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Saylorville | 4,250 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Iowa Noname6.
Track Iowa Noname6 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 Iowa Noname6
Where does the data for Iowa Noname6 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 Iowa Noname6.