Baker Dam dam
Baker Dam
Baker Dam, located in Poweshiek County, Iowa, is a private-owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS for fire protection, livestock, and small fish pond purposes. Completed in 1977, this earth dam stands at a height of 31 feet and spans 510 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 246 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-Walnut Creek near the Iowa River, the dam serves as a recreational area with a surface area of 14.7 acres and a drainage area of 0.48 square miles.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Baker Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state agency to ensure its safety and compliance with standards. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam's condition remains unrated as of the last inspection in 1978. While emergency preparedness measures such as an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) have not been updated, Baker Dam continues to provide essential services for the local community and wildlife, highlighting the importance of water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
With its scenic location and multiple purposes, Baker Dam not only safeguards against fires and provides water for livestock but also offers a recreational retreat for visitors. As part of the Detroit District under the USDA NRCS, the dam's construction and design reflect a commitment to water conservation and environmental stewardship. As enthusiasts of water resources and climate, we recognize Baker Dam as a vital infrastructure supporting both ecological balance and human needs, underscoring the interconnectedness of water management and climate adaptation in the face of changing environmental 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 Baker Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut Creek Near Hartwick | 33 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek Near Haven | 34 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Belle Plaine | 2,050 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Elberon | 131 cfs | → |
| Big Bear Creek At Ladora | 122 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Marengo | 2,410 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Baker Dam.
Boat launches
- 360th Street Tama County
- State Highway 21 Iowa County
- P Avenue Tama County
- Atv Trail Tama
- 216th Street Iowa County
- C Avenue Tama County
Campgrounds
- Hannen County Park
- Otter Creek Lake And Park
- Lake Iowa County Park
- Diamond Lake County Park
- Rock Creek State Park
- Robertson Access
More reservoirs
Track Baker 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 Baker Dam
Where does the data for Baker 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 Baker Dam.