Ripperger Dam dam
Ripperger Dam
Ripperger Dam, located in RED ROCK RESERVOIR, Iowa, is a private-owned structure designed by NRCS and completed in 2001. This Earth-type dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond with a storage capacity of 114 acre-feet and a surface area of 22.1 acres. The dam stands at a height of 8 feet with a length of 2800 feet, regulating water flow from the TR- SOUTH OTTER CREEK.
Managed by the IOWA DNR, Ripperger Dam is state-regulated and inspected regularly to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with safety standards. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources and supporting the local ecosystem. Despite not being rated for its condition, Ripperger Dam continues to fulfill its primary purpose of providing a habitat for fish and wildlife in the area.
As part of the Kansas City District, Ripperger Dam contributes to water resource management efforts in the region, with a focus on conservation and environmental protection. Climate enthusiasts and water resource professionals can appreciate the role of this dam in maintaining a balance between human needs and ecological sustainability in Lucas County, Iowa.
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 Ripperger Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 32 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 34 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 57 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 223 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 82 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 226 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ripperger Dam.
Boat launches
- Red Haw Nature Trail Lucas County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- Us 34 Clarke County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- County Road S70 Appanoose County
Campgrounds
- Longbeard Camp
- Black Oak Camp
- White Oak Camp
- Bottom Oak Camp
- Buck Stop Camp
- Red Haw State Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Ripperger 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 Ripperger Dam
Where does the data for Ripperger 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 Ripperger Dam.