Walker Dam dam
Walker Dam
Located in Indianola, Iowa, the Walker Dam is a privately owned structure designed by the NRCS for fire protection and small fish pond purposes. Completed in 1997, this earth dam stands at 32 feet high and spans a length of 443 feet, with a storage capacity of 49 acre-feet. Situated on the TR- South River, the dam serves as a vital resource for the community, offering a surface area of 4 acres for recreational activities and irrigation purposes.
Operated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Walker Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced to ensure public safety and environmental compliance. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is continuously monitored for any potential risks or maintenance needs. Despite its small size, the Walker Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate adaptation efforts in the region, demonstrating the importance of even modest infrastructure in safeguarding communities against water-related challenges.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, structures like the Walker Dam are essential for mitigating risks and ensuring water security for future generations. With a focus on sustainability and safety, the dam serves as a beacon of resilience in the face of a changing climate, highlighting the importance of proactive management and investment in water infrastructure. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, the Walker Dam stands as a testament to the critical role that small-scale structures play in supporting resilient communities and ecosystems in the face of uncertainty.
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 Walker Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle River Near Indianola | 1,120 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 1,990 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines | 10,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Walker Dam.
Boat launches
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- County Park Des Moines
- Walnut Woods Drive West Des Moines
- Raccoon River Park Trail West Des Moines
- 120th Street Madison County
Track Walker 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 Walker Dam
Where does the data for Walker 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 Walker Dam.