Gatton Dam dam
Gatton Dam
Gatton Dam, located in Mahaska County, Iowa, along the TR- North Skunk River, is a private earth dam that serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. Built in 1976 by the USDA NRCS, this dam stands at a height of 23 feet with a length of 350 feet, providing a storage capacity of 52 acre-feet. The dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Gatton Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state agencies to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and it has a moderate risk assessment rating of 3. Despite its small drainage area of 0.3 square miles, the dam's surface area of 4.2 acres provides essential water resources for the surrounding community while also contributing to the local ecosystem.
As a vital water resource in the region, Gatton Dam plays a crucial role in mitigating the impact of climate change on the area's water supply. With its strategic location and design, the dam not only supports agricultural activities and fire protection but also enhances the resilience of the local ecosystem. Enthusiasts of water resources and climate management will find Gatton Dam to be an intriguing case study in sustainable water management practices and the intersection of human development with natural landscapes.
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 Gatton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Skunk River Near Oskaloosa | 1,230 cfs | → |
| North Skunk River Near Sigourney | 319 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Tracy | 6,910 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 7,220 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Bussey | 24 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Pella | 6,780 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gatton Dam.
Boat launches
- Mahaska County
- County Road V5g Keokuk County
- 216th Street Iowa County
- Jefferson Street Viaduct Ottumwa
- W15 / 330th Avenue Keokuk County
- 198th Place Marion County
Track Gatton 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 Gatton Dam
Where does the data for Gatton 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 Gatton Dam.