Parmer Dam dam
Parmer Dam
Parmer Dam, located in Clarke, Iowa, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. Built in 1995 by the USDA NRCS, this private dam stands at 28 feet tall and spans 360 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 27 acre-feet. The dam is designed to regulate the flow of the TR- South Otter Creek, with a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Parmer Dam is subject to state regulations, inspections, and enforcement. The dam's primary purpose is to provide essential water resources for the surrounding area, including Red Rock Reservoir, while also offering recreational opportunities for visitors. With a drainage area of 0.07 square miles and a surface area of 2 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining water levels and protecting the ecosystem.
As a key feature in the Kansas City District, Parmer Dam is a vital component of the local water infrastructure. While the dam has not been rated for its condition, it has been deemed to meet guidelines for emergency action planning. With its strategic location and functional design, Parmer Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience in the region.
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 Parmer Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 4 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 52 cfs | → |
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 28 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 225 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
| Thompson River At Davis City | 126 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Parmer Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 34 Clarke County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- Red Haw Nature Trail Lucas County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- Decatur County
Campgrounds
- Bottom Oak Camp
- White Oak Camp
- Longbeard Camp
- Buck Stop Camp
- Black Oak Camp
- Red Haw State Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Parmer 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 Parmer Dam
Where does the data for Parmer 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 Parmer Dam.