Hanke Dam dam
Hanke Dam
Hanke Dam is a privately owned earth dam located in Colfax, Iowa, along the TR-Skunk River. Built in 1972 by the USDA NRCS, this dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond management. With a height of 26 feet and a length of 327 feet, Hanke Dam has a storage capacity of 36 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3 acres.
The dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections, enforcement, and permitting processes. Classified as a low hazard potential structure, Hanke Dam has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. While the dam's condition is currently not rated, it is important to note that emergency action plans and risk management measures are not yet in place.
Located in Jasper County, Iowa, Hanke Dam is a vital water resource structure that plays a crucial role in water management and conservation efforts in the region. Enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate will find Hanke Dam to be a fascinating example of a privately owned dam that serves both practical and environmental purposes.
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 Hanke Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Skunk River At Colfax | 1,880 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Mingo | 724 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Des Moines | 217 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny | 154 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue | 5,350 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines | 9,310 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hanke Dam.
Boat launches
- Polk County
- Southeast Vandalia Drive Pleasant Hill
- Birdland Park Boat Launch
- Prospect Road Des Moines
- Neal Smith Trail Polk County
Campgrounds
- Water Trail Campsite
- Ashton Wildwood Park
- Cherry Glen Campground
- Mariposa Co Park
- Acorn Valley Campground
- Kellogg Rv Park
More reservoirs
Track Hanke 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 Hanke Dam
Where does the data for Hanke 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 Hanke Dam.