Phillips Dam dam
Phillips Dam
Phillips Dam, located in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, along the TR-WILLOW CREEK river, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of providing fire protection and serving as a stock or small fish pond. Built in 1973 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and spans 210 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 58 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is regulated and inspected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to ensure its safety and compliance with state standards.
With a drainage area of 0.38 square miles, Phillips Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in Clay County, Iowa. The dam has a moderate risk assessment rating and is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, the dam's risk management measures are in place to mitigate any potential hazards. The dam's location and design make it a vital component in maintaining water quality and quantity for both environmental conservation and human use in the region.
As a key structure in the Omaha District, Phillips Dam serves as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns. Its role in fire protection and aquatic habitat support underscores the interconnectedness of water resources and climate resilience. With state-mandated inspections and enforcement in place, Phillips Dam stands as a reliable and essential asset in the region's water infrastructure, safeguarding both natural ecosystems and human communities from potential risks and ensuring the sustainable use of this vital resource for generations to come.
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 Phillips Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Sioux River At Linn Grove | 1,490 cfs | → |
| Ocheyedan River Near Spencer | 417 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At Alton | 130 cfs | → |
| North Raccoon River Near Sac City | 429 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Jackson | 522 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River At Correctionville | 1,770 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Phillips Dam.
Track Phillips 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 Phillips Dam
Where does the data for Phillips 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 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 Phillips Dam.