Erickson Dam dam
Erickson Dam
Erickson Dam, located in Fort Dodge, Iowa, was completed in 1978 and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and as a small fish pond. The dam is privately owned and regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. It has a height of 28 feet and a length of 200 feet, with a storage capacity of 40 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 25 acre-feet. The dam is classified as an earth dam with a soil foundation and a low hazard potential.
Situated on the TR-Des Moines River, Erickson Dam has a drainage area of 0.61 square miles and covers a surface area of 4 acres. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is moderate. The last inspection of the dam was conducted in 1988, and it has not been rated for its current condition. While the dam does not have a designated Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or inundation maps prepared, it meets regulatory guidelines set by the Iowa DNR for inspection and enforcement.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Erickson Dam provides an interesting case study of a privately owned dam in Iowa. With its multiple purposes and moderate risk assessment, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of proper regulatory oversight and maintenance to ensure the safety and functionality of water infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Erickson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River At Humboldt | 1,190 cfs | → |
| East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City | 741 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Fort Dodge | 2,170 cfs | → |
| Boone River Near Webster City | 364 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Stratford | 2,870 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Rowan | 218 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Erickson Dam.
Track Erickson 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 Erickson Dam
Where does the data for Erickson 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 Erickson Dam.