Fort Dodge Milldam dam
Fort Dodge Milldam
The Fort Dodge Milldam, located on the Des Moines River in Webster County, Iowa, is a historic gravity dam that was completed in 1917 for recreational purposes. With a height of 18 feet and a length of 342 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 2,525 acre-feet and a normal storage of 1,899 acre-feet. It serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and picnicking, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Fort Dodge Milldam is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam has a low hazard potential and is currently in satisfactory condition, with a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. Despite its age, the dam continues to provide valuable recreational opportunities while also serving as a key element in the local water resource management system.
The Fort Dodge Milldam's uncontrolled spillway, with a width of 230 feet, allows for controlled water release during high flow events. The dam's location on the Des Moines River, within the Rock Island District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, highlights its importance in managing water resources and protecting against potential flood risks. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the Fort Dodge Milldam remains a vital piece of infrastructure for both recreation and environmental conservation efforts in the region.
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 Fort Dodge Milldam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River At Fort Dodge | 2,170 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Humboldt | 1,190 cfs | → |
| East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City | 741 cfs | → |
| Boone River Near Webster City | 364 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Stratford | 2,870 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Rowan | 218 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fort Dodge Milldam.
Boat launches
- 6th Avenue Northwest Fort Dodge
- Copperas Trail Webster County
- Vasse Avenue Webster County
- County Road D46 Webster County
- Webster County
Track Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge Milldam
Where does the data for Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge Milldam.