Short Dam, located in Lucas, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam built in 1992 by the USDA NRCS. With a height of 35 feet and a length of 240 feet, this dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection and creating a small fish pond. Situated on TR- WHITEBREAST CREEK, the dam has a storage capacity of 21 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 2 acres.

Managed and regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Short Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment score. Despite not having a condition assessment rating, the dam is inspected, permitted, and enforced by state agencies on a regular basis. The dam's spillway is uncontrolled, and it has no outlet gates or locks. While the dam's drainage area is relatively small at 0.07 square miles, its primary purpose of providing fire protection and stock watering highlights its importance for local water resource management.

Overall, Short Dam represents a vital infrastructure for water resource management in Clarke County, Iowa. With its construction funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining water levels for fire protection and stock purposes. Although the dam's risk assessment is moderate, its low hazard potential and regulatory oversight ensure its continued functionality and safety for the surrounding community.