Hickory Lake Dam dam
Hickory Lake Dam
Hickory Lake Dam, located in Polk, Iowa, was completed in 1970 and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management. The dam, designed by USDA NRCS, is privately owned and regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. It spans 315 feet in length and stands at a height of 34 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 113 acre-feet with a normal storage capacity of 72 acre-feet.
Situated on TR-Four Mile Creek, Hickory Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and is classified as having a moderate risk level. The dam features an earth structure with a soil foundation and an uncontrolled spillway type. Despite its last inspection dating back to 1997, the dam remains in a "Not Rated" condition assessment, emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance and inspections to ensure its safety and functionality. With its scenic location and environmental impact on the surrounding area, Hickory Lake Dam serves as a vital component in water resource management for the community of Berwick and beyond.
While Hickory Lake Dam does not fall under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers, its presence contributes to the overall water management strategy for the region. With its capacity to provide essential services such as fire protection and stock pond management, the dam plays a crucial role in enhancing the resilience of the local ecosystem. As climate change continues to impact water resources, Hickory Lake Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water infrastructure and the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure its long-term functionality and safety.
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 Hickory Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny | 154 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Saylorville | 4,250 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Des Moines | 217 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue | 5,350 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines | 9,310 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Grimes | 643 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hickory Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Neal Smith Trail Polk County
- Johnston
- Northwest 94th Avenue Polk County
- Birdland Park Boat Launch
- Saylorville Boat Ramp
Track Hickory Lake 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 Hickory Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hickory Lake 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 Hickory Lake Dam.