Pleasant Creek Lake Dam dam
Pleasant Creek Lake Dam
Pleasant Creek Lake Dam, located in Palo, Iowa, was completed in 1977 and serves as a crucial structure for flood risk reduction in the region. With a height of 73 feet and a length of 2450 feet, this earth dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 11,000 acre-feet, with a normal storage capacity of 7,100 acre-feet. The dam is situated on Pleasant Creek, within Linn County, Iowa, and is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with additional benefits for water supply in the area. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in July 2020. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 4 feet, and it undergoes regular inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, the dam is equipped to handle potential emergency situations effectively.
Overall, Pleasant Creek Lake Dam stands as a vital infrastructure for managing water resources and mitigating flood risks in the region. Its strategic location on Pleasant Creek, efficient design by SHIVE HATTERY & ASSOC, and state jurisdiction ensure that it plays a key role in safeguarding the local community against potential water-related hazards. As climate change continues to impact weather patterns, the importance of structures like Pleasant Creek Lake Dam will only grow in significance for water resource and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Pleasant Creek Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar River At Cedar Rapids | 4,580 cfs | → |
| Wapsipinicon River At Independence | 571 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Marengo | 2,450 cfs | → |
| Wolf Creek Near Dysart | 269 cfs | → |
| Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Elberon | 143 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pleasant Creek Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Mcclintock Road Linn County
- Strawn Road Linn County
- Otter View Road Linn County
- 57th Street Trail Benton County
- 29th Avenue Drive Benton County
Campgrounds
- Pleasant Creek State Rec Area
- Pleasant Creek State Park Campground
- Benton City - Fry Area
- Wildcat Bluff County Park
- Hoefle - Dulin Area County Park
- Morgan Creek County Park
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Pleasant Creek 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 Pleasant Creek Lake Dam
Where does the data for Pleasant Creek 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 High 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 Pleasant Creek Lake Dam.