Schmitt Dam dam
Schmitt Dam
Schmitt Dam, located in Kendallville, Iowa, is a private dam managed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Iowa DNR. Built in 1982, this earth dam stands at a height of 21 feet and spans 276 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 46 acre-feet. The primary purpose of Schmitt Dam is for fire protection, stock, or small fish pond, serving the local community and agriculture industry in the area.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Schmitt Dam is a crucial infrastructure for water resource management in the region. While the dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, it is regularly inspected and maintained by state authorities to ensure its safety and effectiveness. The dam sits on TR- NICHOLS CR. river and is designed to handle uncontrolled spillways, providing essential flood control measures for the surrounding area.
As a key feature in the St. Paul District's water management system, Schmitt Dam plays a vital role in preserving water resources and mitigating the impacts of climate change in Howard County, Iowa. With its strategic location and design, this dam serves as a valuable asset for maintaining water quality, supporting agriculture, and safeguarding the local ecosystem. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the story of Schmitt Dam is a reminder of the importance of sustainable water infrastructure for a resilient and thriving community.
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 Schmitt Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Iowa River At Bluffton | 252 cfs | → |
| Turkey River At Spillville | 97 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River At Decorah | 344 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Pilot Mound | 393 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester | 619 cfs | → |
| Turkey River Near Eldorado | 367 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Schmitt Dam.
Boat launches
- Valley Avenue Howard County
- Miller Street Howard County
- Howard County
- Wapsi Great Western Line Mitchell County
- Winneshiek County
Campgrounds
- Kendallville Park Campground
- Howard County Fairgrounds Campground
- Turkey River Campground
- Lidtke County Park Campground
- North Park Campground
- Canoe Landing
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The Minnesota-Iowa State Border To Ends Near The Town Of Bluffton, Iowa
- The Town Of Bluffton To The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek
- The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
Track Schmitt 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 Schmitt Dam
Where does the data for Schmitt 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 Schmitt Dam.