Reed Dam dam
Reed Dam
Reed Dam, located in Washington County, Iowa, was completed in 1968 by the USDA NRCS and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond management. This private earth dam stands at a height of 30 feet and has a storage capacity of 36 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 31 acre-feet. Situated on TR-Dutch Creek, the dam's primary source agency is Iowa DNR, indicating state regulation, permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Despite its low hazard potential, Reed Dam is classified as having a moderate risk level, with a condition assessment of "Not Rated". The spillway type is uncontrolled, and the dam has not been modified in recent years. The surrounding area of the dam covers 4 acres and drains a small 0.16 square mile watershed. This structure, owned privately, is critical for water resource management in the area, ensuring water supply for firefighting, livestock, and aquatic life.
As a key feature of the water infrastructure in Coppock, Iowa, Reed Dam plays a vital role in managing water resources in the region. With its modest size and storage capacity, the dam provides essential services to the community while also being subject to state regulations and oversight by the Iowa DNR. Its construction by the NRCS underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in maintaining and managing water resources for various purposes in a sustainable and efficient manner.
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 Reed Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| English River At Kalona | 219 cfs | → |
| North Skunk River Near Sigourney | 299 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Lone Tree | 2,590 cfs | → |
| Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City | 118 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Oxford | 24 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Reed Dam.
Boat launches
- W15 / 330th Avenue Keokuk County
- Dogwood Avenue Washington County
- County Road V5g Keokuk County
- Vine Avenue Washington County
- Riverside Road Riverside
- Sand Road Southeast Johnson County
Campgrounds
- Skunk River Access
- Brinton Timber
- Lake Darling State Park
- Lake Darling State Park Campground
- Manhattan Bridge Access
- Crooked Creek Christian Camp
More reservoirs
Track Reed 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 Reed Dam
Where does the data for Reed 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 Reed Dam.