Koch Dam dam
Koch Dam
Koch Dam, located in Clarke County, Iowa, was completed in 1976 and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, creating a stock or small fish pond, and supplying water. The dam is owned and regulated by the local government and falls under the jurisdiction of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. With a height of 25 feet and a length of 170 feet, Koch Dam has a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3.8 acres. The dam is primarily constructed with earth and has a soil foundation.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, Koch Dam has not been rated for its condition. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway and is not equipped with outlet gates. The emergency action plan for the dam has not been prepared, and the last inspection date is unknown. However, the dam is regularly inspected and maintained by the state regulatory agency to ensure its safety and functionality. With its strategic location on the TR-South River, Koch Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
Overall, Koch Dam stands as a vital infrastructure for fire protection, stock, and water supply in the Clarke County area. As a locally owned and regulated structure, the dam contributes to the conservation and management of water resources while also providing recreational opportunities for the community. With its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, continued monitoring and maintenance of Koch Dam are essential to ensure its long-term effectiveness and safety for both residents and the environment.
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 Koch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 1,660 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 223 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 199 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 48 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,300 cfs | → |
| South Raccoon River At Redfield | 621 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Koch Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 34 Clarke County
- State Highway 25 Creston
- Pershing Street Warren County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- 120th Street Madison County
- 360th Street Dallas County
Track Koch 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 Koch Dam
Where does the data for Koch 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 Koch Dam.