Bierce Dam dam
Bierce Dam
Bierce Dam, located in Clarke County, Iowa, is a privately owned Earth-type dam designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1989. The dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection and the creation of a stock or small fish pond, with a storage capacity of 82 acre-feet and a surface area of 6 acres. The dam spans 360 feet in length and stands at a height of 27 feet, with a soil foundation supporting its structure.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Bierce Dam is regulated and inspected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. The dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and is situated on the TR- East Long Creek, providing essential water resources for the surrounding area. With a primary focus on fire protection and recreational use, Bierce Dam plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem and water management efforts in the region.
As a key feature in the local landscape, Bierce Dam serves as a valuable asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its strategic location and design, the dam not only provides essential water storage and flood control capabilities but also offers recreational opportunities for the community. Managed by a private entity and supported by state regulatory agencies, Bierce Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water infrastructure in safeguarding the environment and supporting local needs.
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 Bierce Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thompson River At Davis City | 745 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 48 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 199 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 223 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 7 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 1,660 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bierce Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 34 Clarke County
- State Highway 25 Creston
- Decatur County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
Track Bierce 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 Bierce Dam
Where does the data for Bierce 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 Bierce Dam.