Lake Wapello Dam dam
Lake Wapello Dam
Lake Wapello Dam, located in Floris, Iowa, is a state-owned structure managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Constructed in 1934, this earth dam stands at a height of 57 feet and spans 1500 feet along Pee Dee Creek. With a storage capacity of 7610 acre-feet, the dam primarily serves as a recreational area with a surface area of 287 acres for water enthusiasts to enjoy.
The dam's spillway, an uncontrolled type with a width of 67 feet, adds to the scenic beauty of the area while also serving its essential purpose. Despite being classified with a significant hazard potential, the dam's condition is deemed satisfactory, as of the last assessment in June 2017. Regular inspections and enforcement by the Iowa DNR ensure the safety and integrity of Lake Wapello Dam, offering peace of mind to visitors and nearby residents.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of Davis County, Iowa, Lake Wapello Dam presents a moderate risk level with moderate risk management measures in place. The dam's role in providing recreational opportunities and water resource management underscores its importance in the local community and serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of conservation efforts in the state.
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 Lake Wapello Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 58 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 7,510 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 19 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 82 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Wapello Dam.
Boat launches
- Cliffland Road Wapello County
- Jefferson Street Viaduct Ottumwa
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Isthmus Place Appanoose County
- Islandview Place Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
Track Lake Wapello 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 Lake Wapello Dam
Where does the data for Lake Wapello 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 Significant 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 Lake Wapello Dam.