Railroad Lake Dam dam
Railroad Lake Dam
Railroad Lake Dam, located in Davenport, Iowa, is a local government-owned structure that serves primarily for recreation purposes. Completed in 1983, this earth dam stands at a height of 35 feet and spans 525 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 750 acre-feet, the dam is situated on TR- BLACK HAWK CR., offering a surface area of 29 acres for visitors to enjoy.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Railroad Lake Dam has a significant hazard potential but is currently in satisfactory condition as of the last assessment in June 2020. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 8 feet and is subject to regular inspections every five years to ensure its safety and integrity. While there are no associated structures or locks, the dam remains a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts seeking recreational activities in the area.
Considered a moderate risk (level 3) infrastructure, Railroad Lake Dam presents a valuable resource for water and climate enthusiasts to explore. Its location within the Detroit District and ownership by the local government make it a vital part of the community's landscape. As efforts continue to manage and maintain the dam, it stands as a testament to the intersection of human engineering and natural beauty in the heart of Scott 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 Railroad Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Duck Creek At 110th Ave At Davenport | 10 cfs | → |
| Duck Creek At Dc Golf Course At Davenport | 63 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Milan | 30 cfs | → |
| Crow Creek At Bettendorf | 5 cfs | → |
| Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt | 1,730 cfs | → |
| Edwards River Near Orion | 66 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Railroad Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- 110th Avenue Buffalo
- I 280;Us 61 Davenport
- South Concord Street 2490, Davenport
- Riverfront Trail Davenport
- George Skafidas Parkway Rock Island
- Big Island Parkway Rock Island
Track Railroad 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 Railroad Lake Dam
Where does the data for Railroad 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 Significant 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 Railroad Lake Dam.