Lake Colchester Dam, located in Norwalk, Iowa, is a private dam on Middle Creek with a height of 31 feet and a length of 1220 feet. Completed in 1965, the dam serves multiple purposes including recreation and other uses, providing a storage capacity of 3800 acre-feet. The dam has a significant hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition, as of the last inspection in July 2018.

Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Lake Colchester Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state agencies, ensuring its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 60 feet, and it has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. The surrounding area offers a surface area of 170 acres for recreational activities, with a drainage area of 10.62 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 1700 acre-feet.

Climate and water resource enthusiasts will be intrigued by the engineering and environmental aspects of Lake Colchester Dam, as well as its importance in the local ecosystem and community. With a unique design by Anderson Engineering Co., the dam provides both practical benefits and recreational opportunities while being subject to rigorous inspections and risk management measures to ensure public safety and environmental sustainability in the region.