Doss Dam dam
Doss Dam
Doss Dam, located in Decatur County, Iowa, is a local government-owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Iowa DNR. Completed in 1958, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans 450 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 36 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is to provide fire protection and serve as a stock or small fish pond, making it a valuable resource for the surrounding community.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Doss Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area. Despite not being USACE-owned, the dam is equipped with uncontrolled spillways and soil foundations, ensuring its structural integrity. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, the dam's regular state inspections and enforcement measures by the Iowa DNR contribute to its overall safety and functionality.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Doss Dam offers a fascinating look into the intersection of infrastructure, environmental regulation, and community resilience. Its presence along TR-BRUSH CREEK not only supports local fire protection efforts and aquatic ecosystems but also underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in the face of changing climate conditions. As a well-maintained and regulated structure, Doss Dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of government agencies and local stakeholders in safeguarding precious water resources for future generations.
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 Doss Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thompson River At Davis City | 126 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 4 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
| East Fork Big Creek Near Bethany | 11 cfs | → |
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 28 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 52 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Doss Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
- Buck Stop Camp
- Nine Eagles State Park Campground
- Bottom Oak Camp
- White Oak Camp
- Black Oak Camp
- Longbeard Camp
More reservoirs
Track Doss 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 Doss Dam
Where does the data for Doss 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 Doss Dam.