Fraser Milldam dam
Fraser Milldam
Fraser Milldam, located in Boone, Iowa, along the Des Moines River, was completed in 1911 for the primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at 7 feet tall and stretches 475 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 345 acre-feet. Despite its age, the dam's hazard potential is rated as low, with a moderate risk assessment. The dam is owned and regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and maintenance.
This gravity dam, built on a soil foundation, is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. With a surface area of 100 acres and a drainage area of 4905 square miles, Fraser Milldam provides a serene retreat for visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Des Moines River. Although the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, regular inspections have been conducted to monitor its structural integrity and safety.
While Fraser Milldam has not undergone significant modifications in recent years, its historical significance and natural surroundings make it a valuable asset for the community. With its controlled spillway and low hazard potential, the dam continues to serve as a peaceful recreational destination for locals and visitors alike. As climate and water resource enthusiasts explore the area, they can appreciate the balance between human enjoyment and environmental conservation that Fraser Milldam embodies.
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 Fraser Milldam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River Near Stratford | 3,960 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River Near Ames | 638 cfs | → |
| Squaw Creek At Ames | 396 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River Below Squaw Creek Near Ames | 1,320 cfs | → |
| North Raccoon River Near Jefferson | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Boone River Near Webster City | 579 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fraser Milldam.
Track Fraser 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 Fraser Milldam
Where does the data for Fraser 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 Fraser Milldam.