Lucas County Roadgrade Dam (L-1) dam
Lucas County Roadgrade Dam (L-1)
Located in Lucas County, Iowa, the Lucas County Roadgrade Dam (L-1) is a privately owned structure designed by the Lucas County Engineer. This earth dam, standing at a height of 49 feet and spanning a length of 1240 feet, was completed in 1989 and serves a primary purpose other than flood control or water supply. With a storage capacity of 860 acre-feet and a surface area of 16 acres, this dam plays a crucial role in managing the flow of the TR-Chariton River in the region.
Regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Lucas County Roadgrade Dam (L-1) is classified as having a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment. Despite not being rated for condition assessment, the dam is regularly inspected, permitted, and enforced by state agencies to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Although currently not equipped with an emergency action plan or inundation maps, the dam's risk management measures are in place to address potential threats and emergencies effectively.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the strategic location and purpose of the Lucas County Roadgrade Dam (L-1) in Lucas County, Iowa. With its role in managing the flow of the TR-Chariton River and its moderate risk assessment, this privately owned earth dam stands as a vital infrastructure supporting the surrounding community and ecosystem. As efforts continue to regulate, inspect, and enforce safety measures for the dam, its role in water resource management and climate resilience remains crucial for sustainable development 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 Lucas County Roadgrade Dam (L-1) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 4 cfs | → |
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 28 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 52 cfs | → |
| English Creek Near Knoxville | 5 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Bussey | 24 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lucas County Roadgrade Dam (L-1).
Boat launches
- Red Haw Nature Trail Lucas County
- County Road S70 Appanoose County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- Us 34 Clarke County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
Track Lucas County Roadgrade Dam (L-1) 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 Lucas County Roadgrade Dam (L-1)
Where does the data for Lucas County Roadgrade Dam (L-1) 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 Lucas County Roadgrade Dam (L-1).