Mike Mikkelson Subwatershed M-5905 dam
Mike Mikkelson Subwatershed M-5905
The Mike Mikkelson Subwatershed M-5905 is a locally owned earth dam located in Monona, Iowa, designed by the USDA NRCS for fire protection, stock, or small fish pond purposes. Completed in 1960, this dam has a height of 24 feet and a storage capacity of 89 acre-feet. Situated along the TR-Cottonwood Creek, it covers a surface area of 6 acres and serves a drainage area of 1.81 square miles.
Managed by the Iowa DNR, this dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. While it is not currently rated for condition assessment, it is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state agencies. Although it does not have outlet gates or locks, it features an uncontrolled spillway. With a history of no modifications and no associated structures, the Mike Mikkelson Subwatershed M-5905 remains an essential asset for flood risk reduction and water resource management in the Little Sioux area.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate in Iowa will find the Mike Mikkelson Subwatershed M-5905 a fascinating example of a local government-owned dam designed to serve multiple purposes. With its strategic location, design features, and risk management measures, this dam plays a crucial role in enhancing water security and resilience in the region. Its history, current status, and regulatory framework provide valuable insights for those interested in sustainable water infrastructure and environmental stewardship.
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 Mike Mikkelson Subwatershed M-5905 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Sioux River Near Turin | 1,540 cfs | → |
| Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin | 461 cfs | → |
| Soldier River At Pisgah | 221 cfs | → |
| Maple River At Mapleton | 314 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Decatur | 28,200 cfs | → |
| West Fork Ditch At Hornick | 80 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mike Mikkelson Subwatershed M-5905.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Mike Mikkelson Subwatershed M-5905 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 Mike Mikkelson Subwatershed M-5905
Where does the data for Mike Mikkelson Subwatershed M-5905 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 Mike Mikkelson Subwatershed M-5905.