Three Mile Creek Watershed Site 50-1 dam
Three Mile Creek Watershed Site 50-1
Three Mile Creek Watershed Site 50-1 in Talmage, Iowa, is a vital resource managed by the local government with oversight from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. This earth dam structure, completed in 1976 by the USDA NRCS, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, small fish pond usage, and flood risk reduction. With a height of 33 feet and a storage capacity of 107 acre-feet, the dam covers a drainage area of 0.33 square miles and has a surface area of 14.3 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential, Three Mile Creek Watershed Site 50-1 has a moderate risk assessment rating due to its condition being not rated. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it has not been modified since its construction. While there is no current inspection data available, the structure is designed to meet state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements. The dam plays a crucial role in water resource management for the area and contributes to the overall ecological health and flood protection of the region.
Enthusiasts interested in water resource management and climate mitigation efforts should take note of Three Mile Creek Watershed Site 50-1 as a prime example of local government-led infrastructure for water conservation and disaster preparedness. With its strategic location in Union County and its association with the Rock Island District, this dam structure serves as a key component in safeguarding the surrounding community against potential flooding events while also providing essential water resources for agricultural and environmental purposes. Its historical significance and ongoing management by the USDA NRCS make it a noteworthy site for those passionate about sustainable water resource management practices.
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 Three Mile Creek Watershed Site 50-1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Raccoon River At Redfield | 750 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 2,980 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Middle Raccoon River At Panora | 223 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 1,120 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Three Mile Creek Watershed Site 50-1.
Track Three Mile Creek Watershed Site 50-1 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 Three Mile Creek Watershed Site 50-1
Where does the data for Three Mile Creek Watershed Site 50-1 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 Three Mile Creek Watershed Site 50-1.