Bower Off-Road Dam dam
Bower Off-Road Dam
Bower Off-Road Dam, located in Westerville, Iowa, is a local government-owned structure primarily used for fire protection, stock, or as a small fish pond. Built in 1990 by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), this earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet and spans a length of 206 feet. With a storage capacity of 18 acre-feet and a surface area of 0.8 acres, the dam serves its purpose while also being regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Situated on TR-Four Mile Creek in Union County, Iowa, the Bower Off-Road Dam is considered to have a low hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite not being currently rated for its condition, the dam is inspected, permitted, and regulated by the state, ensuring its safety and functionality. With its uncontrolled spillway type and earth foundation, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region, providing valuable benefits to the community and ecosystem.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Bower Off-Road Dam presents an intriguing case study of a locally managed structure contributing to fire protection and ecological support. Its location, design, and purpose reflect the intersection of human infrastructure with natural water systems, highlighting the importance of sustainable dam management practices in the face of changing climate conditions. With ongoing inspections and regulatory oversight, the dam continues to serve its intended functions while also posing opportunities for further research and engagement in water resource management strategies.
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 Bower Off-Road Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thompson River At Davis City | 3,120 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 2,310 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 1,650 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 444 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 956 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bower Off-Road Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 34 Clarke County
- State Highway 25 Creston
- Decatur County
- Lake Greenfield Recreation Area
- Pershing Street Warren County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
Track Bower Off-Road 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 Bower Off-Road Dam
Where does the data for Bower Off-Road 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 Bower Off-Road Dam.