Lewis Robbins dam
Lewis Robbins
Lewis Robbins is a private earth dam located in Van Meter, Iowa, designed by the USDA NRCS in 1967 for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. This dam has a height of 29 feet and a length of 295 feet, with a storage capacity of 21 acre-feet and a surface area of 2 acres. Situated on Tr- Panther Creek in Dallas County, it serves as a vital water resource for the surrounding area, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Owned privately, Lewis Robbins plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in the region, especially for fire protection and livestock needs. Despite its age, the dam's condition assessment is not available, highlighting the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure its continued functionality and safety. With its uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates, this structure represents a blend of traditional design and modern water management principles.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lewis Robbins offers insight into historical dam construction practices and their ongoing relevance in today's landscape. As part of the USDA NRCS portfolio, this dam showcases the agency's commitment to sustainable water infrastructure for diverse purposes, from fire protection to grade stabilization. With its location in the Rock Island District and a close proximity to the Tr- Panther Creek, Lewis Robbins stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship in water resource management.
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 Lewis Robbins -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Raccoon River At Redfield | 534 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Middle Raccoon River At Panora | 192 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Grimes | 249 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek At Des Moines | 40 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lewis Robbins.
Track Lewis Robbins 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 Lewis Robbins
Where does the data for Lewis Robbins 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 Lewis Robbins.