Jenkins Dam dam
Jenkins Dam
Jenkins Dam, located in Red Rock Reservoir in Warren County, Iowa, was completed in 1963 by the USDA NRCS and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and as a small fish pond. This private dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. With a height of 34 feet and a length of 654 feet, Jenkins Dam has a storage capacity of 219 acre-feet and a surface area of 16 acres, providing essential water resources for the local area.
Despite being classified as a low hazard potential structure with a moderate risk assessment rating, Jenkins Dam has not undergone a recent condition assessment and is currently not rated. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and is constructed primarily of earth and soil materials. While there are no associated structures or outlet gates, the dam plays a crucial role in water management for the TR-Broadhorn Creek and surrounding watershed. With its historical significance and importance for local water resources, Jenkins Dam remains a key feature in the Kansas City District's water infrastructure.
As a point of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts, Jenkins Dam offers insight into the historical development and management of water infrastructure in Iowa. With its unique design and multi-purpose functionality, this privately owned structure highlights the intersection of human needs for water management, environmental conservation, and regulatory oversight. As discussions around climate change and water scarcity continue to evolve, Jenkins Dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management practices in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Jenkins Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle River Near Indianola | 199 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 48 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 223 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 1,660 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines | 1,810 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jenkins Dam.
Boat launches
- Pershing Street Warren County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- Us 34 Clarke County
- 120th Street Madison County
- 360th Street Dallas County
- Walnut Woods Drive West Des Moines
Campgrounds
- Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
- Bottom Oak Camp
- Longbeard Camp
- Buck Stop Camp
- White Oak Camp
- Black Oak Camp
More reservoirs
Track Jenkins 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 Jenkins Dam
Where does the data for Jenkins 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 Jenkins Dam.