Beach Dam dam
Beach Dam
Beach Dam, located in Hardin County, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1967 by the USDA NRCS for fire protection and as a small fish pond. Standing at 37 feet tall with a length of 609 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 286 acre-feet and serves the purpose of protecting the surrounding area from potential hazards related to flood and water management. The dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Beach Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level (3) based on a risk assessment. It is important to note that the dam's condition has not been officially rated, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to safeguard its structural integrity. Given its location along TR-Pine Creek and its vital role in providing water for fire protection and recreational activities, Beach Dam serves as a crucial infrastructure for the local community and wildlife in the region.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is essential to recognize the significance of Beach Dam in maintaining water resources and supporting biodiversity in the area. By understanding the dam's purpose, design, and regulatory framework, stakeholders can work together to ensure its continued effectiveness in managing water flow, storing essential water supplies, and protecting the environment from potential risks associated with flooding and natural disasters.
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 Beach Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Iowa River Ne Of New Providence | 163 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Marshalltown | 768 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At New Hartford | 254 cfs | → |
| Timber Creek Near Marshalltown | 88 cfs | → |
| Black Hawk Creek At Hudson | 191 cfs | → |
| West Fork Cedar River At Finchford | 517 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Beach Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road S56 Hardin County
- Eastwood Drive Eldora
- 1st Street Eldora
- River Street 126, Iowa Falls
- Marsh Avenue Marshall County
- 245th Street Butler County
Track Beach 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 Beach Dam
Where does the data for Beach 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 Beach Dam.