Elkader Milldam dam
Elkader Milldam
Elkader Milldam is a gravity dam located on the Turkey River in Elkader, Iowa, with a primary purpose of recreation. Completed in 1926, this dam stands at a height of 16 feet and has a length of 206 feet. With a storage capacity of 2947 acre-feet, it serves as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts in the Clayton County area.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Elkader Milldam is state-regulated and regularly inspected to ensure its safety and functionality. Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential, the dam's condition is currently listed as "Not Rated," indicating a need for further assessment. Additionally, the dam has a moderate risk level (3), prompting the need for risk management measures to mitigate any potential threats.
While Elkader Milldam has not undergone recent modifications or assessments, it remains a significant recreational feature in the area, offering opportunities for water-based activities and enjoyment along the Turkey River. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, ensuring the safety and resilience of dams like Elkader Milldam is crucial for sustainable water management and environmental conservation efforts in Iowa.
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 Elkader Milldam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader | 881 cfs | → |
| Volga River At Littleport | 208 cfs | → |
| Turkey River At Garber | 997 cfs | → |
| Bloody Run Creek Near Marquette | 24 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Mcgregor | 21,700 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Ion | 198 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Elkader Milldam.
Boat launches
- Turkey River Water Trail Elkader
- Fawn Hollow Road Clayton County
- 293rd Street Clayton County
- Jupiter Road Clayton County
- Agate Road 10568, Clayton County
Campgrounds
- Deer Run Resort
- Elkader City Park Campground
- Canoe Campsite
- Frieden Park Campsite
- Big Spring Campsite
- Big Spring Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
- The Big Green River To The River's Mouth At The Mississippi River
- The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
- The Town Of Bluffton To The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek
Track Elkader Milldam 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 Elkader Milldam
Where does the data for Elkader Milldam 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 Elkader Milldam.