Readhead Dam, located in Maxwell, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1997 with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. The dam stands at a height of 34 feet and has a length of 215 feet, providing a storage capacity of 67 acre-feet with a normal storage of 47 acre-feet. Situated on TR- East Indian Creek, the dam has a low hazard potential and is considered to have a moderate risk level.

Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Readhead Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state agency to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled, and it has a surface area of 4.4 acres with a drainage area of 0.12 square miles. Despite being in a moderate risk category, the dam's condition assessment is currently not rated, indicating a need for further evaluation to determine its structural integrity.

Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management and safety of dams will find Readhead Dam to be an intriguing case study. With its unique purpose and design features, as well as its state-regulated status and risk assessment, this dam serves as a focal point for discussions on dam safety, emergency preparedness, and risk management measures in the context of water resource management and climate change adaptation.