Abell Dam dam
Abell Dam
Abell Dam, located in Union County, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1987 by the USDA NRCS. The dam serves multiple purposes, including fire protection and as a stock or small fish pond, with a normal storage capacity of 7 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-GRAND RIVER, the dam has a height of 32 feet and a length of 270 feet, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Abell Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and it has a surface area of 0.9 acres and a drainage area of 0.17 square miles. Despite not being rated for its condition, the dam is regularly monitored for any potential risks or issues that may arise, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining its integrity and safeguarding the surrounding area from flooding or other hazards.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Abell Dam presents a fascinating case study in dam engineering and management, highlighting the importance of balancing multiple uses and purposes while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. Its location in a rural setting and its modest size make it a valuable asset for local fire protection and agricultural purposes, while also serving as a small habitat for fish and wildlife. As efforts continue to evaluate and mitigate potential risks associated with dams, Abell Dam stands as a testament to responsible stewardship and the essential role of water infrastructure in supporting communities and ecosystems.
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 Abell Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thompson River At Davis City | 1,800 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 1,900 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 244 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 271 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 111 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Abell Dam.
Boat launches
- State Highway 25 Creston
- Us 34 Clarke County
- Lake Greenfield Recreation Area
- Pershing Street Warren County
- 120th Street Madison County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
Campgrounds
- Green Valley State Park Campground
- Buck Stop Camp
- Bottom Oak Camp
- White Oak Camp
- Longbeard Camp
- Black Oak Camp
More reservoirs
Track Abell 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 Abell Dam
Where does the data for Abell 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 Abell Dam.