Airport Park Lake Dam dam
Airport Park Lake Dam
Airport Park Lake Dam, located in Fredericka, Chickasaw County, Iowa, is a recreational earth dam completed in 1979 with a maximum storage capacity of 89 acre-feet. Managed by the local government, the dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and serves as a popular spot for outdoor activities in the area. With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam has not been rated for its current condition, but regular state inspections ensure its safety and integrity.
Constructed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Airport Park Lake Dam stands at a height of 20 feet and spans 118 feet in length, impounding water from the TR-Little Wapsipinicon River for recreational purposes. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, the dam has not experienced any major incidents and is not equipped with outlet gates or locks. Its location within the Rock Island District adds to the scenic beauty of the surroundings, attracting visitors who enjoy fishing, boating, and hiking in the area.
While the dam has not been recently assessed for its emergency action plan or inundation maps, its risk management measures are considered adequate for the moderate risk it poses. As climate change continues to impact water resources and infrastructure, Airport Park Lake Dam remains a vital part of the local ecosystem, providing both recreational opportunities and flood control measures along the Little Wapsipinicon River. With its rich history and picturesque setting, the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing environmental 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 Airport Park Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Cedar River Near Ionia | 232 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Charles City | 531 cfs | → |
| Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli | 168 cfs | → |
| Turkey River At Spillville | 80 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Waverly | 1,650 cfs | → |
| Turkey River Near Eldorado | 355 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Airport Park Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Pembroke Avenue Chickasaw County
- Howard County
- 140th Street Bremer County
- Sunset Road Fayette County
- Valley Avenue Howard County
- Wapsi Great Western Line Mitchell County
Campgrounds
- New Hampton City Campground
- Haus County Park
- Twin Ponds Co Park - East
- Twin Ponds Co Park - West
- Cedar View Park Campground
- Split Rock County Park
Fishing spots
Track Airport Park 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 Airport Park Lake Dam
Where does the data for Airport Park 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 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 Airport Park Lake Dam.