Simonsen Subwatershed Sta 123+48 Main dam
Simonsen Subwatershed Sta 123+48 Main
Located in Cherokee, Iowa, the Simonsen Subwatershed Sta 123+48 Main is a critical water resource infrastructure managed by the local government with design support from the USDA NRCS. This earth dam, completed in 1952, serves multiple purposes such as fire protection, stock maintenance, and small fish pond management, while also contributing to flood risk reduction in the area. With a dam height of 33 feet and a storage capacity of 137 acre-feet, this structure plays a key role in managing water resources in the region.
The dam, situated on Rock Creek, covers a drainage area of 0.86 square miles and has a surface area of 4.4 acres. Despite its low hazard potential, the structure's condition remains unrated, with moderate risk assessment indicating the need for ongoing monitoring and potential management measures. With state regulation and enforcement in place, including permitting and inspection requirements by the Iowa DNR, the Simonsen Subwatershed Sta 123+48 Main demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources in the area.
As a part of the broader water resource management strategy in the region, this dam contributes to the overall resilience of the local ecosystem and community against flood events. With its historical significance and ongoing operational importance, the Simonsen Subwatershed Sta 123+48 Main serves as a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in understanding the intersection of infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and climate adaptation in Iowa's water management landscape.
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 Simonsen Subwatershed Sta 123+48 Main -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Sioux River At Correctionville | 2,530 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River At Linn Grove | 1,510 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At Alton | 246 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At James | 741 cfs | → |
| Maple River At Mapleton | 455 cfs | → |
| West Fork Ditch At Hornick | 80 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Simonsen Subwatershed Sta 123+48 Main.
Track Simonsen Subwatershed Sta 123+48 Main 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 Simonsen Subwatershed Sta 123+48 Main
Where does the data for Simonsen Subwatershed Sta 123+48 Main 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 Simonsen Subwatershed Sta 123+48 Main.