Scott Dam dam
Scott Dam
Scott Dam, located in Pocahontas, Iowa, serves as a vital resource for fish and wildlife conservation as a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Constructed in 1999 by the NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 7 feet and spans a length of 1350 feet. The dam has a storage capacity of 131 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 32.9 acres, providing essential habitat for local species.
Managed by a private entity, Scott Dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections, enforcement, and permitting to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Despite being rated as having a low hazard potential, the dam is considered to have a moderate risk level (3). While it has an uncontrolled spillway type and no outlet gates, Scott Dam plays a crucial role in supporting the ecosystem of the TR- BIG CEDAR CREEK and mitigating the impact of climate change on water resources in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Scott Dam represents a successful collaboration between private ownership and state regulation to maintain a sustainable environment for fish and wildlife. As a key player in the conservation efforts within the area, the dam serves as a model for responsible water management practices and highlights the importance of infrastructure in adapting to changing climatic conditions. With its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Scott Dam stands as a testament to the effectiveness of proper maintenance and oversight in ensuring the resilience of water resources in the face of environmental challenges.
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 Scott Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Raccoon River Near Sac City | 429 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River At Linn Grove | 1,490 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Humboldt | 1,690 cfs | → |
| East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City | 796 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Fort Dodge | 2,960 cfs | → |
| Ocheyedan River Near Spencer | 417 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Scott Dam.
Track Scott 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 Scott Dam
Where does the data for Scott 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 Scott Dam.