Springbrook Lake Dam dam
Springbrook Lake Dam
Springbrook Lake Dam, located in Lake Panorama, Iowa, is a state-regulated earth dam built in 1934 for recreational purposes. Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the dam stands at a height of 40 feet and has a length of 580 feet, with a storage capacity of 187 acre-feet. The dam overlooks the TR-Middle Raccoon River and has a spillway width of 34 feet, serving as a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts and water resource enthusiasts alike.
Despite being classified as having a significant hazard potential, the dam has been assessed to be in satisfactory condition as of June 2016. Regular inspections are conducted every five years to ensure the safety and integrity of the structure. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam poses some level of risk, prompting the need for ongoing risk management measures and emergency preparedness protocols. While the dam has not undergone recent modifications, it remains a key feature of the local landscape and a source of recreation for the community.
As part of the Rock Island District, Springbrook Lake Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in Guthrie County, Iowa. With its historic significance and recreational value, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable dam operation and maintenance practices in the face of changing climate patterns. Enthusiasts interested in water resources and climate resilience will find Springbrook Lake Dam to be a captivating site worth exploring and studying in the context of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Springbrook Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Raccoon River Near Bayard | 343 cfs | → |
| Middle Raccoon River At Panora | 279 cfs | → |
| North Raccoon River Near Jefferson | 1,440 cfs | → |
| South Raccoon River At Redfield | 670 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 2,600 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Grimes | 424 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Springbrook Lake Dam.
Campgrounds
Track Springbrook Lake Dam 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 Springbrook Lake Dam
Where does the data for Springbrook Lake Dam 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 Significant 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 Springbrook Lake Dam.