Gatrel Dam dam
Gatrel Dam
Gatrel Dam, located in South River, Iowa, is a privately owned structure that serves multiple purposes including fire protection and creating a stock or small fish pond. Built in 1979 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans 330 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 54 acre-feet. The dam, situated on the TR-Squaw Creek, is regulated by the Iowa DNR and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Gatrel Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in Warren County, Iowa. The dam's primary purpose of providing fire protection and water storage highlights its importance in safeguarding the surrounding area against potential risks and emergencies. Despite not being rated for its current condition, ongoing inspections and enforcement by the Iowa DNR ensure that the dam continues to serve its intended functions effectively.
Gatrel Dam's presence on the TR-Squaw Creek not only contributes to water storage and fire protection but also enhances the local ecosystem by providing a habitat for small fish and other wildlife. As a key infrastructure managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the dam underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices in mitigating climate change impacts and ensuring the resilience of water resources in the region. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate action can appreciate Gatrel Dam's role in promoting environmental stewardship and community safety in Warren County, Iowa.
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 Gatrel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South River Near Ackworth | 52 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 225 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 222 cfs | → |
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 28 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines | 1,590 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gatrel Dam.
Boat launches
- Pershing Street Warren County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- Us 34 Clarke County
- County Park Des Moines
- 120th Street Madison County
- Walnut Woods Drive West Des Moines
Campgrounds
- Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
- Longbeard Camp
- Bottom Oak Camp
- White Oak Camp
- Black Oak Camp
- Buck Stop Camp
More reservoirs
Track Gatrel 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 Gatrel Dam
Where does the data for Gatrel 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 Gatrel Dam.