Holden Dam dam
Holden Dam
Holden Dam, located in Riverside, Iowa, is a private dam built in 2000 for fire protection and as a stock or small fish pond. The earth dam stands at a height of 48 feet with a length of 590 feet, creating a storage capacity of 562 acre-feet and a surface area of 27.4 acres. The dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspection, maintenance, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality.
Despite being classified as low hazard potential, Holden Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level, indicating potential risks that need to be managed. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, the dam meets state permitting and inspection requirements. The dam's primary purpose and design, along with its location on TR-Devils Run, make it a crucial component for water resource management and climate resilience in the area. With its controlled spillway and soil foundation, the dam serves as a vital structure for water storage and management in Iowa.
Holden Dam's association with Warner Engineering and the Detroit District of the US Army Corps of Engineers highlights its importance in the local ecosystem and water infrastructure. With a focus on emergency preparedness and risk management, the dam plays a key role in ensuring water availability and flood protection in the region. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Holden Dam represents a fascinating intersection of engineering, environmental stewardship, and water management practices that contribute to sustainable development and resilience in Iowa's water systems.
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 Holden Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Bear Creek At Ladora | 122 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Marengo | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Belle Plaine | 2,050 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek Near Hartwick | 33 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek Near Haven | 34 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Elberon | 131 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Holden Dam.
Boat launches
- 216th Street Iowa County
- State Highway 21 Iowa County
- 360th Street Tama County
- P Avenue Tama County
- County Road V5g Keokuk County
- Atv Trail Tama
Campgrounds
- Lake Iowa County Park
- Hannen County Park
- Diamond Lake County Park
- Belva - Deer Rec Area
- Yenruogis County Park
- Middle Amana Park
More reservoirs
Track Holden 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 Holden Dam
Where does the data for Holden 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 Holden Dam.