Fish Dam dam
Fish Dam
Fish Dam, located in Palo, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1969 for purposes such as fire protection and creating a small fish pond. Managed by the USDA NRCS, this dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans 316 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 20 acre-feet. It is regulated and inspected by the Iowa DNR, ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Situated on the TR- Cedar River, Fish Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in Benton County, Iowa. With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, this dam provides essential services while minimizing potential risks. The dam's primary purpose of fire protection and stock maintenance underscores its importance in maintaining a sustainable ecosystem and water supply for the surrounding area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Fish Dam serves as a fascinating example of how private ownership and state regulation can work together to manage water resources effectively. With a focus on safety and compliance, this dam plays a key role in balancing water supply needs with environmental conservation efforts in the Cedar River watershed.
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 Fish Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar River At Cedar Rapids | 4,490 cfs | → |
| Wapsipinicon River At Independence | 543 cfs | → |
| Wolf Creek Near Dysart | 261 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Marengo | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Elberon | 131 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Belle Plaine | 2,050 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fish Dam.
Boat launches
- 57th Street Trail Benton County
- 29th Avenue Drive Benton County
- Mcclintock Road Linn County
- Strawn Road Linn County
- 27th Avenue Benton County
Campgrounds
- Wildcat Bluff County Park
- Benton City - Fry Area
- Pleasant Creek State Park Campground
- Pleasant Creek State Rec Area
- Hoefle - Dulin Area County Park
- Milroy Access
Fishing spots
More reservoirs
Track Fish 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 Fish Dam
Where does the data for Fish 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 Fish Dam.