Rocky Branch Creek Watershed Site A-5 dam
Rocky Branch Creek Watershed Site A-5
Rocky Branch Creek Watershed Site A-5, located in Jefferson County, Iowa, is a dam constructed in 1960 by the USDA NRCS for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. The earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans a length of 318 feet, with a storage capacity of 35 acre-feet. The watershed area for this site covers 0.17 square miles, with a surface area of 2.3 acres.
Managed by the Iowa DNR, this dam is state-regulated and inspected for safety and compliance. While the hazard potential is rated low, the risk assessment indicates a moderate level. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and is designed to reduce flood risks in the area. Even though the last inspection was conducted in 1973, the condition assessment remains unrated, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure the structure's integrity and effectiveness in water resource management within the Rocky Branch Creek watershed.
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 Rocky Branch Creek Watershed Site A-5 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills | 58 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant | 7 cfs | → |
| North Skunk River Near Sigourney | 336 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Keosauqua | 7,540 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 7,510 cfs | → |
| English River At Kalona | 240 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rocky Branch Creek Watershed Site A-5.
Boat launches
- Dogwood Avenue Washington County
- W15 / 330th Avenue Keokuk County
- County Road V5g Keokuk County
- Van Buren County
- Vine Avenue Washington County
- Cliffland Road Wapello County
Track Rocky Branch Creek Watershed Site A-5 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 Rocky Branch Creek Watershed Site A-5
Where does the data for Rocky Branch Creek Watershed Site A-5 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 Rocky Branch Creek Watershed Site A-5.