Wickard Dam dam
Wickard Dam
Wickard Dam, located in Polk County, Iowa, was completed in 1964 by the USDA NRCS and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and recreation. The earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a length of 604 feet, with a storage capacity of 44 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-Skunk River, the dam's primary source agency is Iowa DNR, with state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place. The dam is classified as low hazard potential and has a moderate risk assessment rating.
Managed by a private owner, Wickard Dam is designed to offer essential services to the local community while also providing recreational opportunities. The dam's location in Colfax, Iowa, makes it a key asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts who are interested in sustainable water management practices. With a surface area of 3.1 acres and a drainage area of 0.34 square miles, Wickard Dam plays a crucial role in maintaining water levels and supporting wildlife in the area.
Despite not having a current condition rating, Wickard Dam continues to be a vital infrastructure for the region, with its primary purpose of fire protection and water storage. As a part of the Rock Island District, the dam contributes to the conservation efforts of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, showcasing the importance of collaboration between federal and state agencies in safeguarding water resources and mitigating climate risks in the area.
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 Wickard Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Creek Near Mingo | 213 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny | 36 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River At Colfax | 631 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River Below Squaw Creek Near Ames | 424 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Saylorville | 3,300 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Des Moines | 47 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wickard Dam.
Boat launches
- 255th Street Story County
- 250th Street Story County
- Arney Avenue Marshall County
- Northwest 94th Avenue Polk County
- Polk City
Campgrounds
- Water Trail Campsite
- Ashton Wildwood Park
- Cherry Glen Campground
- Acorn Valley Campground
- Iowa 4-H Center
- Mariposa Co Park
More reservoirs
Track Wickard 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 Wickard Dam
Where does the data for Wickard 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 Wickard Dam.