Wilkinson Dam dam
Wilkinson Dam
Wilkinson Dam, located in Poweshiek County, Iowa, was completed in 1981 by the USDA NRCS and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and a small fish pond. The earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and spans a length of 325 feet, with a storage capacity of 49 acre-feet. Despite being categorized as having low hazard potential, the dam is regulated and inspected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
The dam, situated on the TR-Walnut Creek in Iowa River, has a surface area of 3.3 acres and drains a 0.16 square mile area. With a spillway type designated as "Uncontrolled," Wilkinson Dam poses a moderate risk level, primarily due to its age and potential limitations in its emergency action plan. Although the condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," ongoing inspections and risk management measures are in place to mitigate any potential hazards and ensure the dam's continued operation and safety for the surrounding community.
Managed by a private entity, Wilkinson Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and conservation efforts in the region. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, structures like Wilkinson Dam are essential for safeguarding water resources for agricultural, recreational, and environmental purposes. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience will find Wilkinson Dam to be a fascinating case study in sustainable water infrastructure management and the intersection of policy, engineering, and environmental protection.
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 Wilkinson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut Creek Near Hartwick | 33 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Belle Plaine | 2,050 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Elberon | 131 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek Near Haven | 34 cfs | → |
| Big Bear Creek At Ladora | 122 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Marengo | 2,410 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilkinson Dam.
Boat launches
- State Highway 21 Iowa County
- 360th Street Tama County
- P Avenue Tama County
- Atv Trail Tama
- 216th Street Iowa County
- C Avenue Tama County
Campgrounds
- Hannen County Park
- Otter Creek Lake And Park
- Lake Iowa County Park
- Diamond Lake County Park
- Middle Amana Park
- T. F. Clark Co Park
More reservoirs
Track Wilkinson 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 Wilkinson Dam
Where does the data for Wilkinson 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 Wilkinson Dam.