Harsha Dam dam
Harsha Dam
Harsha Dam, located in Kellogg, Iowa, was completed in 1975 by the USDA NRCS and is privately owned. The dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and recreation. With a height of 28 feet and a length of 300 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 79 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 4.2 acres.
The dam is regulated by the Iowa DNR and is considered to have a significant hazard potential. Although the condition assessment is not rated, the risk assessment is moderate. The spillway type is uncontrolled, and the dam is primarily constructed of earth with a soil foundation. The dam is situated on the TR-Slater Creek and falls under the jurisdiction of the Rock Island District. The last inspection date was in July 1977.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Harsha Dam offers a fascinating study in dam construction and operation. Its multi-purpose design highlights the importance of water management for fire protection, agriculture, and recreational activities. With its moderate risk assessment and significant hazard potential, this dam serves as a reminder of the critical need for proper maintenance and oversight in managing water resources in the face of changing climate 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 Harsha Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Skunk River At Colfax | 631 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Mingo | 213 cfs | → |
| Timber Creek Near Marshalltown | 88 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Marshalltown | 768 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Pella | 6,780 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek Near Haven | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harsha Dam.
Boat launches
- Jade Street Jasper County
- Rock Creek East Street Jasper County
- Arney Avenue Marshall County
- C Avenue Tama County
- Marion County
Campgrounds
- Kellogg Rv Park
- Mariposa Co Park
- Rock Creek State Park
- Ashton Wildwood Park
- Roberts Creek Park
- Robertson Access
More reservoirs
Track Harsha 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 Harsha Dam
Where does the data for Harsha 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 Significant 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 Harsha Dam.