Lake Belva Deer Dam dam
Lake Belva Deer Dam
Lake Belva Deer Dam, located in Keokuk, Iowa, is a locally-owned earth dam completed in 2001 with a primary purpose of recreation. Standing at a height of 55 feet and stretching 2070 feet in length, this dam holds a storage capacity of 8100 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 247 acres. The dam is situated on TR- GERMAN CREEK and is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
With a significant hazard potential, Lake Belva Deer Dam is inspected every five years and was last assessed in May 2018, receiving a satisfactory condition rating. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 3 feet and poses a moderate risk level. While there are no associated structures or outlet gates, the dam serves as a vital resource for the surrounding community, offering recreational opportunities and maintaining a normal storage capacity of 3666 acre-feet.
Managed by the local government, Lake Belva Deer Dam serves as a key element in water resource management and climate resiliency efforts in the region. This well-maintained earth dam provides essential flood protection, water storage, and recreational amenities for residents and visitors alike, highlighting the crucial role of sustainable infrastructure in ensuring the long-term health and vitality of our water resources and ecosystems.
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 Lake Belva Deer Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Skunk River Near Sigourney | 319 cfs | → |
| English River At Kalona | 228 cfs | → |
| Big Bear Creek At Ladora | 122 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River Near Oskaloosa | 1,230 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 7,220 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Marengo | 2,410 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lake Belva Deer Dam.
Boat launches
- County Road V5g Keokuk County
- W15 / 330th Avenue Keokuk County
- Dogwood Avenue Washington County
- 216th Street Iowa County
- Mahaska County
- Riverside Road Riverside
Track Lake Belva Deer 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 Lake Belva Deer Dam
Where does the data for Lake Belva Deer 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 Significant 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 Lake Belva Deer Dam.