Big Coon Subwatershed Site 3a-4 dam
Big Coon Subwatershed Site 3a-4
Big Coon Subwatershed Site 3a-4, located in Anthon, Iowa, is a significant earth dam constructed in 1999 by the USDA NRCS to serve multiple purposes such as fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and flood risk reduction. This dam has a height of 36 feet and a length of 457 feet, with a storage capacity of 78 acre-feet and a surface area of 3.5 acres. It is regulated and inspected by the Iowa DNR, ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations.
The dam's primary purpose is to provide essential water resources for the surrounding area while also offering flood risk reduction measures. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam's condition remains unrated, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance. The presence of uncontrolled spillways indicates a careful balance between storage capacity and controlled water release to prevent potential flooding events.
With its location on TR- BIG CREEK and proximity to Woodbury County, Big Coon Subwatershed Site 3a-4 serves as a vital water management structure designed to enhance the local ecosystem and protect against potential water-related hazards. Its construction by the USDA NRCS underscores a commitment to sustainable resource management and climate resilience in the region. As a focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts, this site offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of engineering, environmental conservation, and community safety.
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 Big Coon Subwatershed Site 3a-4 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Sioux River At Correctionville | 1,400 cfs | → |
| Maple River At Mapleton | 264 cfs | → |
| West Fork Ditch At Hornick | 80 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At James | 323 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River Near Turin | 1,680 cfs | → |
| Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin | 187 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Big Coon Subwatershed Site 3a-4.
Boat launches
Track Big Coon Subwatershed Site 3a-4 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 Big Coon Subwatershed Site 3a-4
Where does the data for Big Coon Subwatershed Site 3a-4 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 Big Coon Subwatershed Site 3a-4.