Mule Creek Watershed Sta 89+00 dam
Mule Creek Watershed Sta 89+00
Located in Mills County, Iowa, the Mule Creek Watershed Sta 89+00 is a vital water resource managed by the local government with regulatory oversight from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Built in 1956 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond maintenance. With a dam height of 45 feet and a storage capacity of 349 acre-feet, the structure covers a surface area of 17.5 acres and drains an area of 2.42 square miles. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, the dam's condition remains unassessed, highlighting the need for regular inspections and risk management measures for potential flood risk reduction.
Sitting along the TR-Mule Creek river, the Mule Creek Watershed Sta 89+00 is designed to withstand various hydraulic pressures with its uncontrolled spillway type. While no outlet gates or locks are present, the dam's foundation is built on soil, emphasizing the importance of proper maintenance and inspection protocols. With its location in a rural area near Hamburg, Iowa, the dam not only provides essential water resources for local agriculture and fire protection but also contributes to flood risk reduction efforts in the region. The engagement of the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the design process ensures a sustainable approach to water management and environmental conservation in the watershed.
As a key infrastructure for the community, the Mule Creek Watershed Sta 89+00 plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality and supporting local ecosystems. With its long history of service since the 1950s, the dam continues to be a valuable asset for the region, requiring ongoing monitoring and potential upgrades to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates can appreciate the importance of this earth dam in preserving the natural landscape and addressing the challenges of water management in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Mule Creek Watershed Sta 89+00 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Nishnabotna River At Randolph | 866 cfs | → |
| Weeping Water Creek At Union | 70 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak | 438 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Nebraska City | 36,300 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Omaha | 33,000 cfs | → |
| Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg | 2,510 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mule Creek Watershed Sta 89+00.
Boat launches
- Us 34;Us 275 Mills County
- Mills County
- I 29;Us 275 Mills County
- Plattsmouth Boat Ramp
- Haworth River Park
- Catfish Rd Council Bluffs
Track Mule Creek Watershed Sta 89+00 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 Mule Creek Watershed Sta 89+00
Where does the data for Mule Creek Watershed Sta 89+00 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 Mule Creek Watershed Sta 89+00.