Morris Dam dam
Morris Dam
Morris Dam, located in Lucas, Iowa, is a private earth dam with a height of 26 feet and a length of 382 feet. Completed in 1991, this dam serves multiple purposes, including fire protection and providing a small fish pond for the local community. With a storage capacity of 22 acre-feet and a normal storage of 16 acre-feet, Morris Dam covers a surface area of 2 acres and drains a small area of 0.02 square miles.
Managed by the USDA NRCS, Morris Dam is regulated by the Iowa DNR and undergoes regular inspections, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway type and serves as a crucial water resource for the area. Although not currently rated for its condition, Morris Dam plays a vital role in water management and conservation efforts in the region. With its location along TR-Indian Creek, the dam contributes to the overall resilience of the local water supply system and ecosystem.
In the event of an emergency, Morris Dam's emergency action plan (EAP) status is currently not updated, but the dam is well-maintained and monitored to ensure public safety and water resource sustainability. Supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Morris Dam stands as a testament to the important role that private entities play in managing and maintaining critical infrastructure for water resources and climate resilience in Iowa.
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 Morris Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 26 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 4 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 51 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 206 cfs | → |
| English Creek Near Knoxville | 4 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morris Dam.
Boat launches
- Red Haw Nature Trail Lucas County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- Us 34 Clarke County
- County Road S70 Appanoose County
Track Morris 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 Morris Dam
Where does the data for Morris 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 Morris Dam.