Ralston Subwatershed Site M-2 dam
Ralston Subwatershed Site M-2
Located in the beautiful state of Iowa, the Ralston Subwatershed Site M-2 is a crucial water resource managed by the local government for fire protection, stock maintenance, and small fish pond purposes. This Earth-type dam, completed in 1969, stands at a height of 27 feet and spans a length of 885 feet, providing a storage capacity of 108 acre-feet to serve the surrounding area. Situated in Cherokee County, the site plays a key role in flood risk reduction efforts, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Managed by the USDA NRCS, the Ralston Subwatershed Site M-2 is regulated by the Iowa DNR, ensuring state jurisdiction, permitting, inspection, and enforcement mechanisms are in place for its operation and maintenance. With a drainage area of 0.78 square miles and a surface area of 4 acres, this site on the TR-Little Sioux River contributes to the overall water management strategy in the region. Despite being not rated in terms of condition assessment, the dam remains a critical infrastructure for water resource management in the area.
Overall, the Ralston Subwatershed Site M-2 serves as a vital component of the water resource infrastructure in Iowa, providing essential services for fire protection, stock maintenance, and flood risk reduction. With a history dating back to 1969, this Earth-type dam continues to play a significant role in the local water management efforts, supported by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Iowa DNR. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and appreciating the importance of such sites is crucial for ensuring sustainable and effective water management practices 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 Ralston Subwatershed Site M-2 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Sioux River At Correctionville | 3,150 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At James | 871 cfs | → |
| West Fork Ditch At Hornick | 80 cfs | → |
| Maple River At Mapleton | 617 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At Alton | 352 cfs | → |
| Perry Creek Near Milnerville | 25 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ralston Subwatershed Site M-2.
Track Ralston Subwatershed Site M-2 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 Ralston Subwatershed Site M-2
Where does the data for Ralston Subwatershed Site M-2 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 Ralston Subwatershed Site M-2.