Harban Dam dam
Harban Dam
Harban Dam, located in Indianola, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 1995 with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. The dam stands at a height of 34 feet and spans 460 feet, with a storage capacity of 190 acre-feet. Situated on TR- Squaw Creek, the dam serves as a critical water resource for the surrounding area, providing protection against potential flooding and ensuring a stable water supply for various purposes.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Harban Dam is regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its safety and functionality. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam plays a vital role in water management and climate resilience efforts in Warren County, Iowa. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, the dam remains a reliable structure for water storage and agricultural activities, contributing to the overall sustainability of the region's water resources.
As a key component of the local water infrastructure, Harban Dam serves as a testament to the importance of responsible water management in the face of changing climate conditions. With its strategic location and efficient design by the NRCS, the dam stands as a symbol of resilience and adaptability in the realm of water resource management. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the significance of Harban Dam lies not only in its structural integrity but also in its contribution to the overall environmental and ecological well-being of 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 Harban Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South River Near Ackworth | 50 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 196 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 201 cfs | → |
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 33 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,300 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines | 1,530 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harban Dam.
Boat launches
- Pershing Street Warren County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- Us 34 Clarke County
- County Park Des Moines
- Polk County
- Walnut Woods Drive West Des Moines
Campgrounds
- Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
- Longbeard Camp
- Black Oak Camp
- White Oak Camp
- Bottom Oak Camp
- Buck Stop Camp
More reservoirs
Track Harban 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 Harban Dam
Where does the data for Harban 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 Harban Dam.