Pierce Cr. No. 2 Site J-4 dam
Pierce Cr. No. 2 Site J-4
Pierce Cr. No. 2 Site J-4, located in Essex, Iowa, is a local government-owned dam constructed in 1980 by the USDA NRCS, with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond, as well as flood risk reduction. The earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and stretches 550 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 108 acre-feet and a surface area of 4.9 acres. Despite its relatively low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment rating, the dam has not been inspected or assessed for its condition, emergency action plan preparedness, or risk management measures.
The dam regulates the flow of the TR- E. NISHNABOTNA R. river or stream, serving as a crucial water resource infrastructure for the surrounding area. However, without recent inspections or condition assessments, there is uncertainty surrounding the structural integrity and safety of the dam. With the Iowa DNR as the state regulatory agency, it is essential for proper monitoring, maintenance, and emergency preparedness measures to be implemented to ensure the continued functionality and safety of the dam.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Pierce Cr. No. 2 Site J-4 presents an intriguing case study in the management and maintenance of aging infrastructure in the face of evolving environmental challenges. With its diverse purposes and strategic location, this dam highlights the importance of proactive risk assessment, regular inspections, and robust emergency response plans to ensure the resilience of water infrastructure in the changing climate landscape. The collaboration between local government, state agencies, and federal designers will be crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability and safety of this essential water resource facility.
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 Pierce Cr. No. 2 Site J-4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak | 438 cfs | → |
| West Nishnabotna River At Randolph | 866 cfs | → |
| Nodaway River At Clarinda | 1,080 cfs | → |
| Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg | 2,510 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Nebraska City | 36,300 cfs | → |
| Weeping Water Creek At Union | 70 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pierce Cr. No. 2 Site J-4.
Boat launches
- Us 34;Us 275 Mills County
- Mills County
- I 29;Us 275 Mills County
- Plattsmouth Boat Ramp
- Riverview Boat Ramp
- 165 Street Atchison County
Track Pierce Cr. No. 2 Site J-4 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 Pierce Cr. No. 2 Site J-4
Where does the data for Pierce Cr. No. 2 Site J-4 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 Pierce Cr. No. 2 Site J-4.