Mc Farland Lake Dam dam
Mc Farland Lake Dam
Mc Farland Lake Dam, located in Ames, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam with a primary purpose of recreation. Constructed in 1966 by the USDA NRCS, this dam stands at 27 feet high and spans 422 feet in length. It holds a normal storage capacity of 56 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 7.4 acres, with a drainage area of 0.53 square miles. Situated on the TR-SKUNK RIVER, this dam is under the regulatory supervision of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Mc Farland Lake Dam carries a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. While its condition is currently not rated, the dam has not undergone an inspection in recent years. Emergency action plans and inundation maps have not been prepared, raising concerns about the readiness for potential risks. With no outlet gates or associated structures, the dam's risk management measures and overall risk characterization remain unspecified.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts intrigued by the Mc Farland Lake Dam can appreciate its recreational significance and the role it plays in regulating water flow on the TR-SKUNK RIVER. As a privately owned structure, its operational and management aspects are closely monitored by state regulatory agencies. Further evaluation and updates on its condition assessment and emergency preparedness measures would be beneficial in ensuring the safety and sustainability of this important water resource feature.
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 Mc Farland Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Skunk River Near Ames | 813 cfs | → |
| Squaw Creek At Ames | 556 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River Below Squaw Creek Near Ames | 1,710 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Mingo | 845 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Stratford | 3,600 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny | 355 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mc Farland Lake Dam.
Track Mc Farland 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 Mc Farland Lake Dam
Where does the data for Mc Farland 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 Mc Farland Lake Dam.