Robinson Dam dam
Robinson Dam
Robinson Dam, located in Mt. Sterling, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. Completed in 2001, this earth dam stands at a height of 34 feet and spans 490 feet, providing a storage capacity of 107 acre-feet. The dam, situated on the TR- Fox River, is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and has a low hazard potential with a moderate risk assessment rating. Although not currently rated for condition assessment, the dam is inspected, permitted, and enforced by state authorities, ensuring its safety and functionality for the surrounding community.
Robinson Dam's significance lies in its contribution to water resource management and climate resilience in Van Buren County. With a surface area of 6.3 acres and a drainage area of 0.43 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in providing water for fire protection and supporting local wildlife through stock and small fish pond activities. Despite its modest size and uncontrolled spillway type, the dam serves an important function in the region's water infrastructure, demonstrating the intersection of human needs and ecological stewardship. As a privately owned structure, Robinson Dam exemplifies the collaborative efforts between government agencies, designers, and owners in safeguarding water resources for present and future generations.
The Kansas City District of the US Army Corps of Engineers oversees Robinson Dam, ensuring its compliance with regulatory standards and risk management measures. With a focus on emergency preparedness and mitigation strategies, the dam stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to balance water resource utilization with environmental conservation. As climate change impacts continue to affect water availability and quality, Robinson Dam underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices and the need for proactive measures to address emerging challenges. By upholding safety protocols, conducting regular inspections, and engaging with the local community, Robinson Dam exemplifies a model for responsible water resource stewardship in the face of a changing climate.
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 Robinson Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River At Keosauqua | 7,370 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills | 55 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At St. Francisville | 6,910 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Wayland | 45 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 7,220 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Robinson Dam.
Boat launches
- Jersey Avenue Van Buren County
- Van Buren County
- Lake Showme Drive Scotland County
- See Road Scotland County
- Cliffland Road Wapello County
Track Robinson 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 Robinson Dam
Where does the data for Robinson 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 Robinson Dam.