Garst Dam, located in Lake Panorama, Iowa, was completed in 1969 and serves multiple purposes including fire protection and creating a small fish pond. Owned privately, the dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is inspected regularly to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. With a height of 27 feet and a length of 542 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3 acres, impacting a drainage area of 0.25 square miles along the Middle Raccoon River.

Designed by the USDA NRCS, Garst Dam is primarily an earth dam with a soil foundation. It has a low hazard potential and has not been rated for its current condition. While it has not undergone any modifications in recent years, the dam is considered to have a moderate risk level. With an uncontrolled spillway type, the dam does not feature any outlet gates or locks. Despite its age, Garst Dam continues to play a crucial role in the local water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.