Wardyn Dam dam
Wardyn Dam
Wardyn Dam, located in Guthrie County, Iowa, serves multiple purposes including fire protection and providing a source for stock or small fish ponds. Built in 1974 by the USDA NRCS, this private dam stands at 28 feet tall and spans 295 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 48 acre-feet, Wardyn Dam sits on the South Raccoon River and covers a surface area of 2.7 acres.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Wardyn Dam is classified as having a low hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite not being rated for its condition, the dam is regularly inspected, permitted, and enforced by state agencies. Operating under uncontrolled spillway conditions, Wardyn Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region, with a focus on protecting local communities and wildlife habitats.
As a key feature in the water infrastructure of the area, Wardyn Dam contributes to the overall flood control and water supply management strategies in Guthrie County. With its strategic location on the South Raccoon River, the dam's design and construction by the Natural Resources Conservation Service highlight the importance of sustainable water resource practices in Iowa. As climate change continues to pose challenges to water availability and quality, Wardyn Dam stands as a testament to proactive measures taken to safeguard against potential threats and ensure the long-term sustainability of the region's water resources.
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 Wardyn Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Raccoon River At Panora | 161 cfs | → |
| Middle Raccoon River Near Bayard | 210 cfs | → |
| South Raccoon River At Redfield | 456 cfs | → |
| North Raccoon River Near Jefferson | 693 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 1,450 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River Near Atlantic | 219 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wardyn Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Wardyn 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 Wardyn Dam
Where does the data for Wardyn 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 Wardyn Dam.