Scoles Dam dam
Scoles Dam
Scoles Dam, located in Fremont County, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1961. The dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. With a height of 27 feet and a length of 422 feet, Scoles Dam has a storage capacity of 52 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 4 acres. It is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is classified as a low-hazard potential structure.
Situated on the TR-Mill Creek, Scoles Dam plays a vital role in water resource management in the area. The dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway system and is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with state regulations. The risk assessment for Scoles Dam is rated as moderate, indicating a moderate level of risk associated with the structure. Despite not being rated for its condition, the dam continues to serve as a key asset for water storage and management in the region.
Owned by a private entity, Scoles Dam is an essential component for maintaining water levels and providing irrigation support in the surrounding area. The dam's association with fire protection, stock, and small fish pond activities showcases its versatility and importance in the local ecosystem. With a history of construction dating back to 1961, Scoles Dam stands as a testament to sustainable water resource management practices and plays a crucial role in climate resilience efforts in 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 Scoles Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg | 1,550 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Nebraska City | 33,200 cfs | → |
| West Nishnabotna River At Randolph | 693 cfs | → |
| Tarkio River At Fairfax Mo | 163 cfs | → |
| Little Nemaha River At Auburn | 102 cfs | → |
| Weeping Water Creek At Union | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scoles Dam.
Boat launches
- 165 Street Atchison County
- Peru Boat Ramp
- Brownville Riverside City Park
- Riverview Boat Ramp
- Indian Cave
- Prairie Owl
Track Scoles 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 Scoles Dam
Where does the data for Scoles 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 Scoles Dam.