Carson Dam dam
Carson Dam
Carson Dam, located in Clarke County, Iowa, was completed in 1979 by the USDA NRCS and is currently privately owned. The dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management. With a height of 26 feet and a length of 340 feet, Carson Dam has a storage capacity of 43 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2.9 acres.
The dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is inspected regularly to ensure compliance with state regulations. Despite its low hazard potential, Carson Dam has a moderate risk rating and has not been assessed for its condition. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and it is situated on the Otter Creek tributary, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Carson Dam an intriguing structure for its unique design and multi-purpose functionality. As a key feature in the region's water management system, the dam plays a vital role in providing water for fire protection and supporting local wildlife. Its location on Otter Creek adds to its significance in regulating water flow and maintaining the ecological balance of the area. Overall, Carson Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in mitigating climate-related challenges.
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 Carson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South River Near Ackworth | 52 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 4 cfs | → |
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 28 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 225 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 222 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carson Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 34 Clarke County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- Red Haw Nature Trail Lucas County
- County Park Des Moines
Campgrounds
- Bottom Oak Camp
- Longbeard Camp
- White Oak Camp
- Buck Stop Camp
- Black Oak Camp
- Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Carson 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 Carson Dam
Where does the data for Carson 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 Carson Dam.