Swiss Lake Estates Dam dam
Swiss Lake Estates Dam
Swiss Lake Estates Dam, located in Elkader, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam that serves primarily for recreational purposes. Completed in 1967, the dam stands at a height of 44 feet and spans 540 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 261 acre-feet. Situated on Beaver Creek, the dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and structural integrity.
With a low hazard potential and fair condition assessment, Swiss Lake Estates Dam poses a moderate risk according to the data available. Despite having an uncontrolled spillway type, the dam has not experienced any significant issues. The surrounding area offers a surface area of 11 acres for recreational activities, making it a popular spot for water enthusiasts and climate enthusiasts alike. The dam's location within Fayette County, Iowa, adds to its appeal as a picturesque destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Overall, Swiss Lake Estates Dam serves as a vital recreational resource in the region, providing a tranquil oasis for visitors to enjoy water-based activities. Its location, design, and purpose make it a noteworthy site for those interested in water resources and climate conservation. As a privately owned structure with state regulation and inspection, the dam stands as a testament to responsible stewardship of natural 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 Swiss Lake Estates Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey River Near Eldorado | 628 cfs | → |
| Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader | 1,100 cfs | → |
| Volga River At Littleport | 554 cfs | → |
| Turkey River At Garber | 1,760 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Ion | 565 cfs | → |
| Bloody Run Creek Near Marquette | 32 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Swiss Lake Estates Dam.
Boat launches
- County Highway B64 Fayette County
- Agate Road 10568, Clayton County
- Canoe Road Fayette County
- River Street Clermont
- Nature Road 14177, Fayette County
- Fawn Hollow Road Clayton County
Campgrounds
- Gilbertson Campground
- Skip A Way Resort
- Volga River State Rec Area
- Echo Valley Park
- Volga River State Recreation Area
- Dutton Cave County Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
- The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
- The Town Of Bluffton To The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek
- The Big Green River To The River's Mouth At The Mississippi River
- The Minnesota-Iowa State Border To Ends Near The Town Of Bluffton, Iowa
Track Swiss Lake Estates 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 Swiss Lake Estates Dam
Where does the data for Swiss Lake Estates 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 Swiss Lake Estates Dam.