Kness Dam dam
Kness Dam
Kness Dam, located in Hiteman, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. Completed in 1989, this earth dam stands at 36 feet high and spans 270 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 21 acre-feet. The dam is situated on TR-Coal Creek and is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Kness Dam serves as a vital resource for water management and conservation in Monroe County, Iowa. The dam's controlled spillway type and uncontrolled spillway width ensure proper water discharge during extreme weather events, while its soil foundation and earth core construction contribute to its structural integrity. Its surface area of 2 acres and drainage area of 0.04 square miles make it a crucial component in managing local water resources and protecting against potential flooding.
As a key feature in the water infrastructure of the area, Kness Dam plays a crucial role in mitigating risks associated with water management and ensuring the safety of nearby communities. Its construction and design by the Natural Resources Conservation Service reflect a commitment to sustainable water resource management and environmental stewardship. With proper regulation, inspection, and enforcement in place, Kness Dam stands as a testament to the importance of effective dam management in the face of changing climate patterns and increasing water resource 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 Kness Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 19 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Bussey | 27 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Tracy | 7,220 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 34 cfs | → |
| English Creek Near Knoxville | 5 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 58 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Kness Dam.
Boat launches
- Avian Court Appanoose County
- Husky Place Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Islandview Place Appanoose County
- County Road S70 Appanoose County
Campgrounds
- Miami Lake Park
- Honey Creek State Park Campground
- Quercus Wilderness Area
- Eveland Access
- Cedar Creek Access
- Lake Wapello State Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Kness 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 Kness Dam
Where does the data for Kness 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 Kness Dam.