Big Wyacondah Watershed Site 16 dam
Big Wyacondah Watershed Site 16
Big Wyacondah Watershed Site 16 in Iowa, managed by the local government, is a vital water resource with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond, and flood risk reduction. Constructed in 1976 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and spans 570 feet, with a storage capacity of 69 acre-feet. Situated along the TR- S. Wyacondah River, the dam covers a surface area of 12.1 acres and serves a drainage area of 0.77 square miles.
Owned and regulated by the Iowa DNR, this watershed site boasts a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. While the dam's condition is currently not rated, it is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and soil foundation. Despite not having a designated emergency action plan, the site meets state permitting, inspection, and enforcement requirements. With its strategic location in the Davis County of Iowa, Big Wyacondah Watershed Site 16 plays a crucial role in water management and environmental conservation efforts in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the significance of Big Wyacondah Watershed Site 16 as a key infrastructure for water storage, flood risk reduction, and ecological preservation. Managed by the local government and designed by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands as a testament to sustainable water management practices in the state of Iowa. With its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the site provides a valuable resource for fire protection, livestock, and aquatic habitats, while adhering to state regulatory standards and oversight by the Iowa DNR.
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 Big Wyacondah Watershed Site 16 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Keosauqua | 22,200 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 1,030 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 21,400 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 412 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Wyacondah Watershed Site 16.
Boat launches
- Lake Showme Drive Scotland County
- Jersey Avenue Van Buren County
- Van Buren County
- Cliffland Road Wapello County
- Us 136 Schuyler County
- Jefferson Street Viaduct Ottumwa
Track Big Wyacondah Watershed Site 16 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 Big Wyacondah Watershed Site 16
Where does the data for Big Wyacondah Watershed Site 16 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 Big Wyacondah Watershed Site 16.