Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-34 dam
Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-34
Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-34, located in Eldon, Iowa, is a critical water resource managed by the local government for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. Constructed in 1997 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at 24 feet tall and spans 937 feet, with a storage capacity of 131 acre-feet. Despite its low hazard potential, this dam serves as a flood risk reduction measure for the surrounding area, with a drainage area of 0.47 square miles and a surface area of 6.5 acres.
Managed by the Iowa DNR, this site is state-regulated and inspected for compliance with safety standards. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and a soil foundation, ensuring its structural integrity and functionality. While its condition is currently not rated, the risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, prompting the need for ongoing risk management measures. With a designated emergency action plan and updated contact information, Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-34 remains a crucial component of the local water resource infrastructure in Davis County, Iowa.
As part of the Rock Island District, this site plays a vital role in water management and conservation efforts in the region. Supported by federal funding and design from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, this dam provides essential water storage and flood control functions while also enhancing wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities in the area. With its strategic location along TR-SOAP CREEK, this watershed site serves as a model for sustainable water resource management and climate resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-34 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 58 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 19 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 7,510 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Bussey | 27 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-34.
Boat launches
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Isthmus Place Appanoose County
- Islandview Place Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
- Avian Court Appanoose County
- Jefferson Street Viaduct Ottumwa
Track Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-34 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 Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-34
Where does the data for Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-34 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 Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-34.