North Woods Lake Dam dam
North Woods Lake Dam
North Woods Lake Dam, located in Davis City, Iowa, is a key water supply structure managed by the local government. Constructed in 1993 by VEENSTRA & KIMM, this earth dam stands at a height of 57 feet and spans 745 feet in length, holding a capacity of 990 acre-feet with a normal storage of 764 acre-feet. Situated on TR- POT HOLE CREEK in Decatur County, this dam serves the primary purpose of water supply for the region.
Maintained and regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, North Woods Lake Dam has a significant hazard potential with a satisfactory condition assessment. It is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and has undergone inspections every 5 years, with the most recent assessment taking place in July 2020. The dam's risk assessment categorizes it as moderate, indicating a potential for environmental impact and the need for ongoing risk management measures.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, North Woods Lake Dam offers a fascinating case study in dam infrastructure and water management. Its location, design, and regulatory oversight provide insights into the complexities of maintaining water supply systems in the face of changing environmental conditions. As a critical piece of infrastructure in the region, this dam serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable water resource management practices in the context of climate change.
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 North Woods Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thompson River At Davis City | 126 cfs | → |
| East Fork Big Creek Near Bethany | 11 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 4 cfs | → |
| East Fork 102 River At Bedford | 1 cfs | → |
| Thompson River At Trenton | 734 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near North Woods Lake Dam.
Track North Woods Lake 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 North Woods Lake Dam
Where does the data for North Woods Lake 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 Significant 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 North Woods Lake Dam.