Ball Dam dam
Ball Dam
Ball Dam, located in Louisa, Iowa, along the TR-Iowa River, was completed in 1985 by the USDA NRCS and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. This private dam, with a height of 29 feet and a length of 200 feet, has a storage capacity of 22 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2 acres. While the dam is classified as having a low hazard potential, it is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance.
The dam's design, primarily consisting of earth materials and a soil foundation, contributes to its structural integrity. Despite being uncontrolled, the dam's spillway type and width are designed to manage any excess water flow effectively. Although the dam's risk assessment is moderate, it has not been rated for its condition assessment. Emergency action plans and risk management measures are currently not documented for Ball Dam, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and assessment to mitigate any potential risks or hazards associated with the structure.
Ball Dam's location in Wapello, Iowa, under the ownership of a private entity, underscores the importance of collaboration between state and federal agencies for effective regulation and enforcement. With its role in water resource management and climate adaptation efforts, the dam serves as a vital infrastructure for the local community while also posing challenges that require ongoing attention and maintenance to ensure its long-term functionality and safety.
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 Ball Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa River At Wapello | 10,200 cfs | → |
| Cedar River Near Conesville | 6,160 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant | 7 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Lone Tree | 3,230 cfs | → |
| Edwards River Near New Boston | 264 cfs | → |
| Pope Creek Near Keithsburg | 76 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ball Dam.
Boat launches
- F Avenue 9777, Louisa County
- 120th Street Louisa County
- 78th Street Louisa County
- Prairie Street 5882, Louisa County
- Prairie Street 5898, Louisa County
- Vine Avenue Washington County
Campgrounds
- Virginia Grove Rec Area
- Louisa County Fairgrounds
- Wapello Fairgrounds Park
- Snively Access
- Flaming Prairie Park
- Marr Park
More reservoirs
Track Ball 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 Ball Dam
Where does the data for Ball 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 Ball Dam.