Prescott Flood Prevention Dam dam
Prescott Flood Prevention Dam
Located in Prescott, Iowa, the Prescott Flood Prevention Dam is a crucial structure designed by the USDA NRCS in 1973 to address flood risk reduction along the TR-EAST NODAWAY river. This earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans 510 feet, providing a storage capacity of 157 acre-feet for floodwaters. With a surface area of 5.5 acres and draining a 0.32 square mile watershed, the dam plays a vital role in managing water flow in the region.
Maintained and regulated by the Iowa DNR, the Prescott Flood Prevention Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential but is currently assessed to be in fair condition. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 3 feet and undergoes inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity. Despite the moderate risk associated with the dam, it serves as a key asset in mitigating flood-related risks for the local community and surrounding areas, showcasing the importance of effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts.
As a primary flood risk reduction structure in Adams County, Iowa, the Prescott Flood Prevention Dam stands as a testament to collaborative efforts between local government agencies and the USDA NRCS. With its strategic location and design, the dam not only protects the city of Prescott but also contributes to the overall water resource management and climate adaptation strategies in the region. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns and increase the frequency of extreme events, structures like the Prescott Flood Prevention Dam play a crucial role in safeguarding communities and ecosystems against the threats of flooding.
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 Prescott Flood Prevention Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork 102 River At Bedford | 1 cfs | → |
| Nodaway River At Clarinda | 425 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River Near Atlantic | 219 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak | 588 cfs | → |
| South Raccoon River At Redfield | 456 cfs | → |
| West Nishnabotna River At Hancock | 313 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Prescott Flood Prevention Dam.
Track Prescott Flood Prevention 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 Prescott Flood Prevention Dam
Where does the data for Prescott Flood Prevention 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 High 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 Prescott Flood Prevention Dam.