Willow Creek Subwatershed Site M-3 dam
Willow Creek Subwatershed Site M-3
Willow Creek Subwatershed Site M-3 is a local government-owned dam located in Woodbury County, Iowa, along the TR-WOLF CREEK. Built in 1968 by USDA NRCS, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 30 feet and spans 816 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 39 acre-feet. The primary purpose of this dam is to provide fire protection, stock water, and support small fish ponds, while also serving as a flood risk reduction measure for the surrounding area.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment score of 3, Willow Creek Subwatershed Site M-3 is regulated and permitted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Despite not having a current condition assessment, this dam has not been rated for its condition. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it does not feature any outlet gates or associated structures. While the dam does not currently have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place, it meets regulatory guidelines and is inspected, enforced, and permitted by state agencies.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Willow Creek Subwatershed Site M-3 to be an important infrastructure for managing water resources in the area, providing essential services for fire protection, livestock, and flood control. As a part of the local government's efforts to safeguard the community from potential hazards, this dam plays a crucial role in mitigating risks and ensuring the resilience of the surrounding ecosystem. With its longstanding history and purposeful design, this dam represents a key component of the region's water management infrastructure.
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 Willow Creek Subwatershed Site M-3 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Fork Ditch At Hornick | 80 cfs | → |
| Maple River At Mapleton | 264 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River At Correctionville | 1,400 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River Near Turin | 1,680 cfs | → |
| Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin | 187 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At James | 323 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Willow Creek Subwatershed Site M-3.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Willow Creek Subwatershed Site M-3 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 Willow Creek Subwatershed Site M-3
Where does the data for Willow Creek Subwatershed Site M-3 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 Willow Creek Subwatershed Site M-3.