Rainbow Lake Dam dam
Rainbow Lake Dam
Rainbow Lake Dam in Tama, Iowa, stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management and climate resilience. Completed in 1952, this private earth dam serves multiple purposes, including recreation, fire protection, and providing a small fish pond. With a height of 30 feet and a length of 450 feet, the dam holds a storage capacity of 135 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 80 acre-feet.
Located on the TR-Iowa River, Rainbow Lake Dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, ensuring that it meets state inspection, permitting, and enforcement standards. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is associated with moderate risk, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. The dam's condition is currently rated as "Not Rated," indicating a need for further assessment and potentially the development of an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to address any unforeseen events.
In the care of private ownership, Rainbow Lake Dam serves as a vital resource for the local community in Chelsea and beyond. Its presence not only supports recreational activities but also contributes to the broader ecosystem and water management efforts in the area. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding and supporting the maintenance and resilience of structures like Rainbow Lake Dam is crucial for safeguarding our natural environment and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
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 Rainbow Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Richland Creek Near Haven | 38 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek Near Hartwick | 35 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Elberon | 143 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Belle Plaine | 2,110 cfs | → |
| Big Bear Creek At Ladora | 131 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Marengo | 2,450 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rainbow Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- 360th Street Tama County
- P Avenue Tama County
- State Highway 21 Iowa County
- Atv Trail Tama
- C Avenue Tama County
- 216th Street Iowa County
Campgrounds
- Otter Creek Lake And Park
- Hannen County Park
- Diamond Lake County Park
- Lake Iowa County Park
- Union Grove State Park
- T. F. Clark Co Park
More reservoirs
Track Rainbow Lake 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 Rainbow Lake Dam
Where does the data for Rainbow Lake 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 Rainbow Lake Dam.