Oaknoll Dam dam
Oaknoll Dam
Oaknoll Dam, also known as Davis Dam, is a private-owned structure located in Johnson County, Iowa, specifically in the city of Iowa City. Completed in 1994, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a length of 545 feet. Its primary purpose is designated for fire protection, stock, or a small fish pond, with a normal storage capacity of 43 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 95 acre-feet.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Oaknoll Dam is situated along the TR-Iowa River, with a drainage area of 0.12 square miles. Despite its satisfactory condition assessment as of July 2020, the dam poses a high hazard potential and is subject to biennial inspections to ensure its structural integrity and safety. While an uncontrolled spillway is present with a width of 2 feet, there are no outlet gates or associated structures linked to the dam.
Although Oaknoll Dam presents a moderate risk level, its strategic location and purpose make it a vital resource for fire protection and recreational activities in the region. With ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts, the dam continues to serve its intended functions while remaining a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management of dams and reservoirs.
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 Oaknoll Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa River At Iowa City | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City | 118 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Coralville | 29 cfs | → |
| Rapid Creek Near Iowa City | 10 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville | 2,140 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Oxford | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Oaknoll Dam.
Boat launches
- 520th Street Southeast Johnson County
- Mehaffey Bridge Road Northeast , 52333 Iowa
- Falcon Lane Big Grove Township
- Anglers Point Road Northeast Big Grove Township
- Sand Road Southeast Johnson County
- Cottage Reserve Road Northeast Big Grove Township
Track Oaknoll 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 Oaknoll Dam
Where does the data for Oaknoll 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 High 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 Oaknoll Dam.