Smith Dam dam
Smith Dam
Smith Dam, located in Hiteman, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS for fire protection, stock, or as a small fish pond. Completed in 1991, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans 375 feet in length, offering a storage capacity of 35 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, the dam is state-regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality.
Situated on TR- Cedar Creek, Smith Dam serves as a vital resource for the local community, providing essential water storage for various purposes. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and its foundation is built on soil, reflecting its design for efficiency and sustainability. Despite its modest size and capacity, the dam plays a significant role in water management and conservation efforts in Monroe County, Iowa.
With its strategic location and purposeful design, Smith Dam exemplifies the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience. As a crucial element in the local ecosystem, the dam not only supports fire protection and agricultural activities but also contributes to biodiversity and environmental sustainability. By adhering to state regulations and undergoing regular inspections, Smith Dam showcases the importance of responsible dam ownership and management in safeguarding water resources for 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 Smith 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 | 24 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 4 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Tracy | 6,910 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 56 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Smith Dam.
Boat launches
- Avian Court Appanoose County
- Husky Place Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- County Road S70 Appanoose County
- Islandview Place Appanoose County
Campgrounds
- Honey Creek State Park Campground
- Miami Lake Park
- Cedar Creek Access
- Quercus Wilderness Area
- Eveland Access
- Lake Wapello State Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Smith 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 Smith Dam
Where does the data for Smith 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 Smith Dam.