Mc May Dam dam
Mc May Dam
Mc May Dam, located in Chariton, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1955 by the USDA NRCS. Its primary purpose is for fire protection, stock, or as a small fish pond, with a storage capacity of 31 acre-feet and a surface area of 6 acres. The dam is regulated by the Iowa DNR and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Situated on the Chariton River, Mc May Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Its uncontrolled spillway design and soil foundation contribute to its overall condition, which is currently not rated. The dam has not been modified in recent years and does not have an emergency action plan in place. Despite these factors, the dam serves as a significant resource for water management and wildlife habitat in the Lucas County area.
Overall, Mc May Dam plays a crucial role in providing water resource management and recreational opportunities in the region. As a privately owned structure, it underscores the importance of collaboration between private owners and state regulatory agencies to ensure the safety and effectiveness of water infrastructure. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance, Mc May Dam stands as a testament to the intersection of human ingenuity and environmental stewardship in managing water resources and climate 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 Mc May Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 4 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 28 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 52 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 19 cfs | → |
| English Creek Near Knoxville | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mc May Dam.
Boat launches
- Red Haw Nature Trail Lucas County
- Us 34 Clarke County
- County Road S70 Appanoose County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
Campgrounds
- Red Haw State Park Campground
- Black Oak Camp
- Longbeard Camp
- White Oak Camp
- Bottom Oak Camp
- Buck Stop Camp
More reservoirs
Track Mc May 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 Mc May Dam
Where does the data for Mc May 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 Mc May Dam.