Thorland Dam dam
Thorland Dam
Thorland Dam, located in Thompson, Iowa, is a private earth dam constructed in 1968 by the USDA NRCS for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. The dam stands at 20 feet high and spans 250 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 57 acre-feet. Situated on TR-PIKE RUN, the dam serves the surrounding Winnebago County area and is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Despite being classified with a low hazard potential, there is a moderate risk associated with the dam, prompting a need for ongoing risk management measures.
Owned and operated privately, Thorland Dam has not been rated for its condition, and its emergency action plan status is unknown. The dam does not have a controlled spillway and lacks outlet gates, with no associated structures or locks. Despite these limitations, the dam plays a crucial role in providing essential water resources for fire protection and recreational use in the area. With a drainage area of 0.18 square miles, the dam's surface area covers 6 acres, offering a valuable ecosystem for local wildlife.
In conclusion, Thorland Dam stands as a vital water resource structure in Winnebago County, Iowa, serving multiple purposes while facing moderate risk factors that necessitate ongoing management and assessment. As a key component in the local water infrastructure, the dam underscores the importance of sustainable management practices and regular inspection to ensure its continued efficacy and safety for the surrounding community and environment.
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 Thorland Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Winnebago River At Mason City | 320 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Rowan | 218 cfs | → |
| Cedar River Near Austin | 170 cfs | → |
| East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City | 741 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Humboldt | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Watonwan River Near Garden City | 409 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Thorland Dam.
Boat launches
- 345th Street Winnebago County
- James Avenue Hancock County
- Winnebago County
- Worth County
- Finch Avenue Worth County
Track Thorland 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 Thorland Dam
Where does the data for Thorland 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 Thorland Dam.