Thirty-Fifth Street Dam dam
Thirty-Fifth Street Dam
Thirty-Fifth Street Dam, located in West Des Moines, Iowa, is a significant earth dam standing at a height of 23 feet and stretching 530 feet in length. Completed in 1992, this dam serves a vital purpose in managing the flow of the TR-Jordan Creek, with a normal storage capacity of 25 acre-feet and a maximum storage capacity of 95 acre-feet. The dam's spillway, measuring 16 feet in width, is uncontrolled, adding to the unique hydraulic features of the structure.
Managed by the local government, Thirty-Fifth Street Dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for inspection, permitting, and enforcement. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam poses a significant hazard potential, emphasizing the importance of regular monitoring and maintenance. Despite not being rated for its condition assessment, the dam continues to serve its primary purpose efficiently, showcasing the expertise of its designer, Shive-Hattery Engineers.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Thirty-Fifth Street Dam offers a fascinating insight into the intricate infrastructure that supports water management in Iowa. Its location along the TR-Jordan Creek and its role in flood control highlight the crucial balance between human development and environmental conservation. As discussions around climate change and water resource management continue to evolve, the role of dams like Thirty-Fifth Street Dam becomes increasingly vital in ensuring sustainable practices for future generations.
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 Thirty-Fifth Street Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines | 3,100 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek At Des Moines | 101 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Fleur Drive | 3,040 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue | 5,350 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines | 9,310 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thirty-Fifth Street Dam.
Boat launches
- Raccoon River Park Trail West Des Moines
- Walnut Woods Drive West Des Moines
- Country Club Boulevard Clive
- Kruidenier Trail Des Moines
- Prospect Road Des Moines
- 360th Street Dallas County
Track Thirty-Fifth Street 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 Thirty-Fifth Street Dam
Where does the data for Thirty-Fifth Street 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 Significant 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 Thirty-Fifth Street Dam.