Holm Dam dam
Holm Dam
Holm Dam is a privately owned structure located in Cedar River, Iowa, with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. Built in 1969 by USDA SCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans a length of 502 feet, providing a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-Beaver Creek, the dam is regulated by the Iowa DNR and has state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite its low hazard potential, a moderate risk assessment of 3 has been assigned to the dam.
The dam's location in Butler County, Iowa, makes it a vital resource for water management in the region. With a surface area of 3 acres and a drainage area of 0.21 square miles, Holm Dam plays a crucial role in providing water for fire protection and supporting local aquatic life. While the dam has an uncontrolled spillway and no outlet gates, its construction and design by USDA SCS reflect a commitment to effective water resource management and conservation.
As a focal point for water enthusiasts and climate advocates, Holm Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water infrastructure. Its modest size and purpose may belay its significance, but the dam serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of water resources and the environment. With proper regulation and maintenance in place, Holm Dam continues to be a valuable asset for the community, supporting both practical needs and ecological diversity in the Cedar River 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 Holm Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver Creek At New Hartford | 254 cfs | → |
| West Fork Cedar River At Finchford | 517 cfs | → |
| Shell Rock River At Shell Rock | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Janesville | 1,050 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Cedar Falls | 3,220 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Waverly | 448 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Holm Dam.
Boat launches
- Finchford Road Black Hawk County
- Atlas Avenue Bremer County
- Big Lake Loop Cedar Falls
- Wyth Road 3224, Waterloo
- 245th Street Butler County
- Cedar Valley Lakes Trail Waterloo
Campgrounds
- Thunder Woman Park
- Roadman Roadside Park
- Black Hawk County Park
- Shell Rock Rec Area
- Big Woods Lake
- George Wyth State Park
Fishing spots
Track Holm 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 Holm Dam
Where does the data for Holm 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 Holm Dam.