Parnell Creek Subwatershed Site M-6 dam
Parnell Creek Subwatershed Site M-6
Located in Woodbury, Iowa, the Parnell Creek Subwatershed Site M-6 is a local government-owned dam that serves multiple purposes, including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management, as well as flood risk reduction. Constructed in 1968 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a length of 424 feet, providing storage for up to 105 acre-feet of water and covering a surface area of 5.4 acres. The dam is regulated by the Iowa DNR and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safe operation.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the condition of the Parnell Creek Subwatershed Site M-6 has not been officially rated. The dam's spillway is currently uncontrolled, and there are no outlet gates or associated structures present. While the dam has not undergone recent inspection or maintenance, it remains an essential asset for water resource management and emergency preparedness in the area. With its location on the TR-Parnell Creek river, this dam plays a crucial role in protecting downstream communities and ecosystems from potential flooding events.
Overall, the Parnell Creek Subwatershed Site M-6 represents a vital piece of infrastructure in the region, providing essential water management services and contributing to the overall resilience of the local environment. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to monitor and support the ongoing maintenance and management of this dam to ensure its continued effectiveness in mitigating flood risks and supporting water quality in the surrounding 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 Parnell Creek Subwatershed Site M-6 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Maple River At Mapleton | 314 cfs | → |
| West Fork Ditch At Hornick | 80 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River At Correctionville | 1,610 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River Near Turin | 1,910 cfs | → |
| Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin | 387 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Decatur | 28,700 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Parnell Creek Subwatershed Site M-6.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Parnell Creek Subwatershed Site M-6 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 Parnell Creek Subwatershed Site M-6
Where does the data for Parnell Creek Subwatershed Site M-6 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 Parnell Creek Subwatershed Site M-6.