Farmer Dam dam
Farmer Dam
Welcome to Farmer Dam in Henry County, Iowa, a privately owned earth dam completed in 1994 with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. Nestled along TR-Sugar Creek, this dam stands at 23 feet high and stretches 350 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet. With a surface area of 4.4 acres and a drainage area of 0.16 square miles, Farmer Dam serves as a vital resource for the local community.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Farmer Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced to ensure its safety and functionality. While it has a low hazard potential, the dam is rated as moderate risk level 3. Despite not having a condition assessment, this dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and environmental conservation in the region. With its strategic location, Farmer Dam contributes to the overall water ecosystem and supports various activities for residents and wildlife alike.
As a key feature in the Rock Island District, Farmer Dam exemplifies the importance of sustainable water resource management and climate resilience. With its historical significance and modern-day utility, this dam symbolizes the intersection of human ingenuity and natural ecosystems. Whether for fire protection, livestock, or recreational fishing, Farmer Dam continues to be a vital asset in the heart of Henry County, 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 Farmer Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant | 7 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills | 55 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Lone Tree | 3,230 cfs | → |
| English River At Kalona | 228 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Wapello | 10,200 cfs | → |
| Cedar River Near Conesville | 6,160 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Farmer Dam.
Boat launches
- Dogwood Avenue Washington County
- Vine Avenue Washington County
- W15 / 330th Avenue Keokuk County
- Riverside Road Riverside
- County Road V5g Keokuk County
- Sand Road Southeast Johnson County
Campgrounds
- Crooked Creek Christian Camp
- Mac Coon Access
- Marr Park
- Brinton Timber
- Lake Darling State Park
- Lake Darling State Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Farmer 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 Farmer Dam
Where does the data for Farmer 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 Farmer Dam.