Heller Dam dam
Heller Dam
Heller Dam, located in Amana, Iowa, is a private earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1977 for fire protection, stock, or small fish pond purposes along the TR-Iowa River. The dam stands at a height of 26 feet with a length of 300 feet, providing a storage capacity of 54 acre-feet and a surface area of 4.3 acres. Despite having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment and lacks emergency action plans and inundation maps.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Heller Dam is subject to state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement. While the dam has not undergone recent inspections or had emergency action plans updated, it is maintained by the private owner and has no associated structures or outlet gates. With a controlled spillway type, the dam poses a low risk of failure but could benefit from updated risk management measures and compliance with guidelines for emergency preparedness.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and condition of Heller Dam, there is potential for increased monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and functionality of the structure. With its location in the Detroit District and under the jurisdiction of the Iowa DNR, the dam serves as a key element in providing water storage and protection in the region. Addressing the lack of recent assessments and emergency plans could further enhance the resilience of Heller Dam in the face of changing weather patterns and potential hazards.
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 Heller Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa River At Marengo | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Big Bear Creek At Ladora | 122 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Belle Plaine | 2,050 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Oxford | 26 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Elberon | 131 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek Near Hartwick | 33 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Heller Dam.
Boat launches
- State Highway 21 Iowa County
- 216th Street Iowa County
- J Avenue Northeast 201, Cedar Rapids
- 360th Street Tama County
- Strawn Road Linn County
- Mcclintock Road Linn County
Track Heller 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 Heller Dam
Where does the data for Heller 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 Heller Dam.