Baldwin Dam dam
Baldwin Dam
Baldwin Dam, located in Sioux City, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by the NRCS and regulated by the Iowa DNR. Completed in 1998, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet and spans a length of 793 feet, with a primary purpose of providing fire protection, stock, or serving as a small fish pond. The dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, making it crucial for climate and water resource enthusiasts to monitor its condition and management measures.
With a normal storage capacity of 44 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 82 acre-feet, Baldwin Dam plays a key role in managing the flow of TR-Perry Creek. Despite being uncontrolled, the spillway type of this dam ensures the safety of the surrounding areas in case of overflow. While the structure has not been rated for its condition assessment, its risk management measures and risk assessment are deemed moderate, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and maintenance efforts for sustainability in the face of changing climate patterns.
As a crucial element in the local water resource management system, Baldwin Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for the community in Plymouth County, Iowa. Its strategic location and purpose make it a significant asset for fire protection, livestock, and ecological needs. By staying informed about its condition, risk assessment, and management measures, water resource and climate enthusiasts can contribute to the sustainable utilization of this essential structure for years to come.
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 Baldwin Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Perry Creek Near Milnerville | 25 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At James | 314 cfs | → |
| Big Sioux River At Akron | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Sioux City | 26,100 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At Alton | 63 cfs | → |
| Omaha Cr At Homer | 30 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Baldwin Dam.
Boat launches
- 220th Street Plymouth County
- 180th Street Plymouth County
- State Highway 3 Plymouth County
- Bacon Creek Sioux City
- Scenic Park S Sioux City
- Crystal Cove Park
Track Baldwin 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 Baldwin Dam
Where does the data for Baldwin 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 Baldwin Dam.