Waucoma Milldam dam
Waucoma Milldam
Waucoma Milldam, located in Fayette County, Iowa, is a historic gravity dam built in 1914 on the Turkey River for the primary purpose of recreation. With a height of 11 feet and a length of 224 feet, the dam provides a storage capacity of 271 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 50 acres. Despite its age, the dam is classified as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Waucoma Milldam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state agency to ensure its structural integrity and safety. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and is situated in a picturesque setting ideal for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. While the dam's condition assessment is currently not rated, it remains a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the natural beauty of the area.
Although lacking recent inspection and maintenance data, Waucoma Milldam continues to be a focal point for recreational opportunities along the Turkey River. As one of the many historic dams in Iowa, it serves as a reminder of the state's rich water resource heritage and the importance of responsible dam management in the face of changing climate conditions. Whether for leisurely enjoyment or environmental appreciation, the dam offers visitors a chance to connect with nature and appreciate the vital role of water resources in sustaining ecosystems and communities.
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 Waucoma Milldam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey River At Spillville | 109 cfs | → |
| Turkey River Near Eldorado | 387 cfs | → |
| Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli | 118 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River At Decorah | 391 cfs | → |
| Little Cedar River Near Ionia | 113 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River At Bluffton | 256 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Waucoma Milldam.
Boat launches
- Sunset Road Fayette County
- Nature Road 14177, Fayette County
- Winneshiek County
- Pembroke Avenue Chickasaw County
- River Street Clermont
- Canoe Road Fayette County
Campgrounds
- Gouldsburg County Park
- Gouldsburg County Park Campground
- Goeken County Park Campground
- Goeken Co Park
- Lake Meyer County Park Campground
- North Woods Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The Town Of Bluffton To The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek
- The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
- The Minnesota-Iowa State Border To Ends Near The Town Of Bluffton, Iowa
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
Track Waucoma 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 Waucoma Milldam
Where does the data for Waucoma 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 Waucoma Milldam.