Lake Eleanor Dam dam
Lake Eleanor Dam
Lake Eleanor Dam in Dubuque, Iowa is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. Constructed in 1967 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and stretches 483 feet in length, creating a water storage capacity of 57 acre-feet. The dam is located on TR-GRANGER CREEK and is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Despite being categorized as having low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is rated as moderate (3). While the condition assessment is not rated, the dam has not been inspected recently, and emergency preparedness measures such as an emergency action plan (EAP) are not documented. With a surface area of 5 acres and a drainage area of 0.34 square miles, Lake Eleanor Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will find Lake Eleanor Dam to be a fascinating example of a privately owned structure serving multiple purposes. Its construction by the USDA NRCS and regulation by the Iowa DNR highlight the importance of proper maintenance and risk assessment for earth dams. As discussions surrounding water storage, emergency preparedness, and environmental impact continue, Lake Eleanor Dam stands as a notable feature in the landscape of Dubuque, Iowa.
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 Eleanor Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sinsinawa River Near Menominee | 21 cfs | → |
| Apple River Near Hanover | 79 cfs | → |
| North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton | 329 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Rockville | 182 cfs | → |
| Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Grant River At Burton | 241 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Eleanor Dam.
Boat launches
- Massey Marina Lane Dubuque County
- Decatur Street Galena
- Boat Ramp Road East Dubuque
- Admiral Sheehy Drive Dubuque
- A Y Macdonald Park
- Mississippi River -- Sandy Hook Landing
Campgrounds
- Massey Marina
- Massey Marina And Park Campgrounds
- Miller Riverview City Park
- Miller Riverview Park & Campground
- Dubuque Yacht Basin And Rv Park
- Spruce Creek County Park
Track Lake Eleanor 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 Eleanor Dam
Where does the data for Lake Eleanor 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 Lake Eleanor Dam.