Jones Cove Dam dam
Jones Cove Dam
Jones Cove Dam, located in Guthrie County, Iowa, is a privately owned structure that stands at a height of 34 feet and spans a length of 625 feet. Completed in 1994, this earth dam serves a primary purpose other than flood control, with a normal storage capacity of 80 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 420 acre-feet. Situated on the TR- Middle Raccoon River, the dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is classified as having low hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment rating.
Managed by Shive-Hattery Engineers, Jones Cove Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area, providing irrigation, recreation, and wildlife habitat benefits. Despite not being federally owned or funded, the dam undergoes regular state inspections and enforcement to ensure public safety and compliance with regulations. With its uncontrolled spillway and soil foundation, the dam contributes to the overall hydrological and ecological health of the region, serving as a key infrastructure for sustainable water management practices.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Jones Cove Dam represents a significant engineering feat in balancing human needs with environmental conservation. Its location in Lake Panorama, Iowa, underscores the importance of private initiatives in maintaining water infrastructure resilience. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the design, function, and regulatory framework of dams like Jones Cove is essential for implementing effective adaptation strategies and promoting sustainable water stewardship practices in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Jones Cove Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Raccoon River At Panora | 274 cfs | → |
| Middle Raccoon River Near Bayard | 292 cfs | → |
| South Raccoon River At Redfield | 860 cfs | → |
| North Raccoon River Near Jefferson | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 2,730 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Jones Cove Dam.
Track Jones Cove 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 Jones Cove Dam
Where does the data for Jones Cove 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 Jones Cove Dam.