Meinking Marsh Dam dam
Meinking Marsh Dam
Meinking Marsh Dam, located in Lower Gar Lake, Iowa, is a State-owned earth dam completed in 1992 for the primary purpose of recreation. With a height of 14 feet and a length of 240 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 396 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 41.2 acres. The dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
Despite its low hazard potential, Meinking Marsh Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, indicating the need for ongoing risk management measures. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and there are no outlet gates or associated structures. With a drainage area of 9.5 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water levels and protecting the surrounding ecosystem.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be intrigued by the unique design and purpose of Meinking Marsh Dam, as well as its role in providing recreational opportunities in the area. As a State-regulated structure with a moderate risk level, the dam serves as a vital component of the local water management system, highlighting the importance of sustainable infrastructure development and maintenance in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Meinking Marsh Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocheyedan River Near Spencer | 443 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Jackson | 563 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River At Linn Grove | 1,490 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At Alton | 134 cfs | → |
| Rock River Below Tom Creek At Rock Rapids | 162 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Meinking Marsh Dam.
Boat launches
- Dam Road 798, Arnolds Park
- Linden Drive 184, Arnolds Park
- West Okoboji
- 150th Street Spirit Lake
- 140th Street 24728, Orleans
- 10th Avenue North Estherville
Track Meinking Marsh 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 Meinking Marsh Dam
Where does the data for Meinking Marsh 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 Meinking Marsh Dam.