Lacey Dam dam
Lacey Dam
Lacey Dam, located in Iowa along the TR-Soldier River, was completed in 1961 by the USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of providing fire protection, stock, or a small fish pond. This privately owned earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and has a storage capacity of 68 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Despite its small size, Lacey Dam plays a vital role in the local ecosystem by providing water storage for fire protection and livestock use. The dam has a surface area of 4 acres and drains an area of 0.86 square miles. Its uncontrolled spillway type and lack of outlet gates indicate a simple design focused on basic water management needs. Although its condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," the dam's risk management measures are in place to ensure its continued safety and functionality.
Lacey Dam's strategic location in Ida County, Iowa, and its association with the Natural Resources Conservation Service make it a notable feature for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its minimal environmental impact and essential functions for the surrounding community, the dam stands as a testament to responsible water management practices and the importance of maintaining infrastructure for both human and ecological 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 Lacey Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Maple River At Mapleton | 264 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River At Correctionville | 1,400 cfs | → |
| West Fork Ditch At Hornick | 80 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River Near Turin | 1,680 cfs | → |
| Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin | 187 cfs | → |
| Soldier River At Pisgah | 125 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lacey Dam.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Lacey 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 Lacey Dam
Where does the data for Lacey 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 Lacey Dam.