Atwell Dam dam
Atwell Dam
Atwell Dam is a private dam located in Lucas, Iowa, near Lake Morris. Completed in 1997, the earth dam stands at 30 feet high and stretches 410 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 143 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is for fire protection, stock, or as a small fish pond. The dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Situated on TR- Little Whitebreast Creek, Atwell Dam poses a low hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment rating. The dam's spillway is of the uncontrolled type, and it has not been modified since its completion. Although the condition assessment is currently listed as "Not Rated," the dam's risk management measures are not specified. Despite its low hazard potential, the dam is equipped to handle emergencies, although details on emergency action plans and inundation mapping are not provided in the available data.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts may appreciate Atwell Dam for its role in providing essential fire protection and water storage in the area. With its location in a picturesque setting near Lake Morris, the dam serves as a vital resource for the community while also presenting opportunities for wildlife habitat and recreational activities. As a privately owned structure, Atwell Dam plays a significant role in water management and conservation efforts in Lucas County, Iowa, offering a glimpse into the intersection of human infrastructure with natural landscapes.
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 Atwell Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 4 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 28 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 19 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Bussey | 24 cfs | → |
| English Creek Near Knoxville | 5 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Atwell Dam.
Boat launches
- Red Haw Nature Trail Lucas County
- County Road S70 Appanoose County
- Husky Place Appanoose County
- Avian Court Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
Track Atwell 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 Atwell Dam
Where does the data for Atwell 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 Atwell Dam.