Black Dam dam
Black Dam
Black Dam, located in Story, Iowa, along the TR-South Skunk River, is a private earth dam primarily used for fire protection, stock, or small fish pond purposes. Constructed in 1980 by USDA NRCS, this dam has a height of 42 feet and a length of 350 feet, with a storage capacity of 88 acre-feet. With a surface area of 4.6 acres and a drainage area of 0.16 square miles, Black Dam serves as a vital water resource in the region.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Black Dam is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections, enforcement, and permitting processes. Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, the dam's condition remains unrated. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and is situated in a picturesque location, making it a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to visit and appreciate the importance of sustainable water management practices in the region.
As part of the Rock Island District, Black Dam's risk management measures and emergency action plans are currently not rated or updated, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure the safety and functionality of this essential water infrastructure. With its rich history and significant contribution to the local ecosystem, Black Dam stands as a symbol of resilience and serves as a reminder of the critical role that sustainable water resource management plays in mitigating the impacts of climate change on our environment.
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 Black Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Skunk River Below Squaw Creek Near Ames | 424 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Mingo | 213 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny | 36 cfs | → |
| Squaw Creek At Ames | 148 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River Near Ames | 241 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Saylorville | 3,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Black Dam.
Boat launches
- 255th Street Story County
- 250th Street Story County
- Arney Avenue Marshall County
- Northwest Madrid Drive Polk City
- Northwest 150th Avenue Polk County
Campgrounds
- Water Trail Campsite
- Ashton Wildwood Park
- Cherry Glen Campground
- Acorn Valley Campground
- Iowa 4-H Center
- Ledges State Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Black 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 Black Dam
Where does the data for Black 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 Black Dam.