Williams Dam dam
Williams Dam
Williams Dam, located in Malvern, Iowa, along the TR-Silver Creek, was completed in 1994 for the primary purposes of fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. Owned and regulated by a private entity, the dam stands at a height of 21 feet and spans 640 feet in length, with a maximum storage capacity of 82 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam's condition remains unrated, and there is a lack of data on its inspection frequency and emergency preparedness.
The structure, designed by NRCS and built with an earth core and soil foundation, serves as an essential water resource for the local area, offering a surface area of 5.4 acres and draining a 0.31 square mile watershed. It is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement by the Iowa DNR, ensuring its safety and compliance with environmental standards. With Cindy Axne (D) as the representative for the district, the dam's role in providing water for irrigation, livestock, and fire suppression underscores its significance in the region's water management infrastructure.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Williams Dam represents a focal point for understanding the intersection of human engineering and environmental stewardship. As a critical component of the local hydrological system, the dam's management, maintenance, and potential risks highlight the ongoing challenges and opportunities in balancing water supply needs with ecological sustainability. By monitoring the dam's condition, operation, and regulatory oversight, stakeholders can contribute to the conservation and responsible utilization of this vital water resource for current and future generations.
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 Williams Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Nishnabotna River At Hancock | 340 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River Near Atlantic | 239 cfs | → |
| Boyer River At Logan | 520 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Omaha | 32,700 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak | 480 cfs | → |
| Big Papillion Cr | 64 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Williams Dam.
Boat launches
- Park Road Council Bluffs
- Lake Manawa State Park
- Nebraska Boat Ramp
- Catfish Rd Council Bluffs
- Dodge Park Road , 68112:68152 Omaha
- Mills County
Track Williams 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 Williams Dam
Where does the data for Williams 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 Williams Dam.