Crane Dam dam
Crane Dam
Crane Dam, located in Davis County, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam that serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond management. Constructed in 1995 by the NRCS, this dam stands at a height of 29 feet and spans a length of 303 feet. With a storage capacity of 67 acre-feet and a surface area of 4.3 acres, Crane Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area. The dam is situated on TR- CHEQUEST CREEK and is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, with regular inspections and enforcement ensuring its safety and compliance.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Crane Dam is not currently rated for its condition. However, it meets state regulatory requirements and is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway design. The dam's location in the Rock Island District and its proximity to the city of Keosauqua make it a significant feature in the local landscape. While the dam does not have any associated structures or outlet gates, its primary purpose of water management highlights its importance for both the local community and the environment. As climate change continues to impact water resources, Crane Dam stands as a vital infrastructure for sustainable water management 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 Crane Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Keosauqua | 7,090 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 6,960 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills | 53 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 56 cfs | → |
| North Skunk River Near Sigourney | 308 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Crane Dam.
Boat launches
- Cliffland Road Wapello County
- Van Buren County
- Jersey Avenue Van Buren County
- Jefferson Street Viaduct Ottumwa
- Lake Showme Drive Scotland County
- County Road V5g Keokuk County
Campgrounds
- Mcgowen Rec Area
- Austin County Park
- Lake Fisher
- Waubonsie Trail Park
- Lacey - Keosauqua State Park
- Lacey-Keosauqua State Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Crane 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 Crane Dam
Where does the data for Crane 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 Crane Dam.