Humeston Reservoir Dam dam
Humeston Reservoir Dam
Humeston Reservoir Dam, located in Chariton, Iowa, is a vital water resource infrastructure primarily owned and regulated by the local government. Completed in 1916, this earth dam stands at a height of 31 feet and has a length of 670 feet, providing essential water supply for the region. With a storage capacity of 900 acre-feet, it serves both recreational and water supply purposes, covering a surface area of 37.4 acres and draining a 1.02 square mile watershed area.
Despite its historical significance, the dam's current condition assessment is poor, with a significant hazard potential. The last inspection in August 2019 revealed the need for improvements to ensure public safety and water resource management. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled with a width of 18 feet, posing a potential risk in cases of high discharge. The risk assessment categorizes the dam as moderate, indicating the need for risk management measures to address safety concerns and ensure its long-term sustainability.
Given its critical role in water supply and recreational activities, the Humeston Reservoir Dam requires immediate attention to address its poor condition and mitigate potential hazards. Collaborative efforts between local and state regulatory agencies, such as the Iowa DNR, are essential to implement necessary upgrades and ensure the dam's compliance with safety standards. Climate and water resource enthusiasts are encouraged to monitor the dam's risk management measures and support initiatives aimed at preserving this important infrastructure for future generations.
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 Humeston Reservoir Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 4 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
| Thompson River At Davis City | 126 cfs | → |
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 28 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 52 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 19 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Humeston Reservoir Dam.
Boat launches
- Red Haw Nature Trail Lucas County
- Us 34 Clarke County
- Decatur County
- County Road S70 Appanoose County
- Pershing Street Warren County
Track Humeston Reservoir 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 Humeston Reservoir Dam
Where does the data for Humeston Reservoir 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 Humeston Reservoir Dam.