Lake Macbride Dam dam
Lake Macbride Dam
Lake Macbride Dam in Johnson County, Iowa, is a state-regulated earth dam completed in 1930 by the Corps of Engineers, with a primary purpose of recreation. The dam stands at a height of 56 feet and spans 900 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 28,000 acre-feet and a surface area of 950 acres. Located on Mill Creek within Coralville Reservoir, the dam has a spillway width of 150 feet and is classified as having a significant hazard potential.
Despite its age, Lake Macbride Dam's condition assessment is regarded as satisfactory, with inspections conducted every five years to ensure its structural integrity. The dam is owned and regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, with enforcement and permitting handled at the state level. Situated in a scenic area with a drainage area of 27.1 square miles, the dam not only serves as a recreational spot but also plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Lake Macbride Dam is a fascinating example of engineering ingenuity and environmental stewardship in action.
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 Lake Macbride Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville | 2,140 cfs | → |
| Rapid Creek Near Iowa City | 10 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Coralville | 29 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Iowa City | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Oxford | 26 cfs | → |
| Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City | 118 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Macbride Dam.
Boat launches
- Poplar Avenue Northeast Big Grove Township
- Falcon Lane Big Grove Township
- Anglers Point Road Northeast Big Grove Township
- Lake Mcbride Road Northeast Big Grove Township
- Mehaffey Bridge Road Northeast , 52333 Iowa
Track Lake Macbride 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 Lake Macbride Dam
Where does the data for Lake Macbride 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 Lake Macbride Dam.