Van Clark Dam dam
Van Clark Dam
Van Clark Dam, located in Indianola, Iowa, was completed in 1975 and stands at a height of 28 feet with a length of 560 feet. The dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock maintenance, and as a small fish pond, with a storage capacity of 85 acre-feet. Managed by the private sector, the dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure compliance and safety.
Constructed with an earth design and soil foundation, Van Clark Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam is situated on the TR-SOUTH RIVER, and despite having an uncontrolled spillway type, it has not experienced any major incidents. The surrounding area covers a surface area of 6.5 acres with a drainage area of 0.38 square miles, making it a vital resource for local water management and conservation efforts in Warren County, Iowa.
Despite its modest size, Van Clark Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. With its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam provides essential services for fire protection, stock maintenance, and recreational activities. As a privately owned structure, it highlights the collaboration between private owners and regulatory agencies to ensure the safety and sustainability of water resources in the area.
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 Van Clark Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle River Near Indianola | 1,120 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 1,990 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines | 10,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Van Clark Dam.
Boat launches
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- County Park Des Moines
- Polk County
- Walnut Woods Drive West Des Moines
Track Van Clark 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 Van Clark Dam
Where does the data for Van Clark 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 Van Clark Dam.