Southfork Dam dam
Southfork Dam
Southfork Dam, located in Clive, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by Bishop Engineering and regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Completed in 1988, this Earth-type dam stands at a height of 38 feet and spans 560 feet, with a storage capacity of 204 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes, including recreation, and is situated on the TR-Walnut Creek, within the Rock Island District.
With a high hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment as of March 2021, Southfork Dam poses moderate risks that are being managed effectively. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 7 feet and has undergone regular inspections, with the next one scheduled for 2023. Despite its age, the dam continues to provide valuable water resource management for the area, supporting a surface area of 9 acres and a drainage area of 0.75 square miles.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate will appreciate the strategic location and design of Southfork Dam, which not only ensures water storage and flood control but also offers recreational opportunities for the community. As a key infrastructure in Dallas County, Iowa, this dam exemplifies the importance of proper maintenance and regulation to safeguard against potential risks and ensure the continued sustainability of water resources in the region.
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 Southfork Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek At Des Moines | 101 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines | 3,100 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Grimes | 643 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Fleur Drive | 3,040 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Southfork Dam.
Track Southfork 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 Southfork Dam
Where does the data for Southfork 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 High 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 Southfork Dam.