James Dam dam
James Dam
James Dam, located in Warren County, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Iowa DNR. Completed in 1979, this earth dam serves multiple purposes, including fire protection and creating a small fish pond. With a height of 30 feet and a length of 275 feet, James Dam has a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 37 acre-feet.
Despite its low hazard potential, James Dam has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. The dam's condition is currently not rated, with the last inspection dating back to June 1972. While the dam lacks certain safety features like outlet gates and spillways, it remains a crucial asset for water resource management in the region. Climate and water resource enthusiasts will find James Dam's location on the Des Moines River and its role in protecting the local ecosystem intriguing.
As a key component of the water infrastructure in the area, James Dam underscores the importance of maintaining and assessing the condition of dams to prevent potential risks. With its historical significance and continuing role in water management, James Dam serves as a reminder of the vital connection between water resources, climate, and human intervention in shaping the 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 James Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South River Near Ackworth | 111 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 271 cfs | → |
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 382 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 244 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines | 6,970 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Fleur Drive | 1,830 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near James Dam.
Boat launches
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- Polk County
- County Park Des Moines
- Southeast Vandalia Drive Pleasant Hill
Track James 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 James Dam
Where does the data for James 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 James Dam.