Good Dam dam
Good Dam
Good Dam in Davis County, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1995 by the NRCS. Situated along the North Fork North Fabius Creek, it serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. With a dam height of 26 feet and a length of 450 feet, it has a storage capacity of 85 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 6 acres. Despite being classified as having low hazard potential, the dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations.
The dam's primary purpose of fire protection and water storage contributes to the conservation and management of water resources in the area. Its location in a rural setting underscores its importance for agricultural activities and wildlife habitat. Although the dam is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment, it is subject to moderate risk (3) according to a risk assessment. The presence of an uncontrolled spillway emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to prevent potential hazards and ensure the dam's integrity.
Overall, Good Dam plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem by providing water for multiple uses and serving as a reliable source of water during emergencies. Its construction and management highlight the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience, showcasing the importance of sustainable infrastructure for safeguarding communities and the environment against water-related risks. As a privately owned structure under state jurisdiction, Good Dam exemplifies the collaborative efforts needed to ensure the safety and efficiency of water resource systems in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Good Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 58 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 7,510 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 19 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Keosauqua | 7,540 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Good Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Us 136 Schuyler County
- Lake Showme Drive Scotland County
- Cliffland Road Wapello County
- Jersey Avenue Van Buren County
- Jefferson Street Viaduct Ottumwa
- Isthmus Place Appanoose County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Mcgowen Rec Area
- Lake Fisher
- Drakesville City Park
- Lake Wapello State Park
- Lake Wapello State Park Campground
- Waubonsie Trail Park
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Good 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 Good Dam
Where does the data for Good 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 Good Dam.