Utt Dam dam
Utt Dam
Located in Pittsburg, Iowa, the Utt Dam stands as a testament to efficient water resource management, with a primary purpose of grade stabilization. Constructed in 2002 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam spans 294 feet in length and reaches a height of 24 feet. With a storage capacity of 61 acre-feet and a surface area of 3.8 acres, Utt Dam plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of Tr-Burr Oak Creek, benefiting the surrounding environment and community.
Managed by the Iowa DNR, Utt Dam boasts a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. While not currently rated for condition assessment, the dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a spillway type of "Uncontrolled" and a spillway width of 1 foot, Utt Dam is equipped to handle potential overflow events, mitigating risks and protecting downstream areas.
As an essential infrastructure for water resource management in Davis County, Iowa, Utt Dam represents a harmonious blend of environmental stewardship and practical engineering. Its role in grade stabilization and flood control underscores the importance of sustainable water management practices, safeguarding communities and ecosystems alike. With support from the USDA NRCS and oversight from the Iowa DNR, Utt Dam stands as a vital component of the local water infrastructure, ensuring the resilience and longevity of the surrounding landscape in the face of changing climate patterns.
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 Utt Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 10,800 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Keosauqua | 10,800 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 1,590 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Utt Dam.
Boat launches
- Cliffland Road Wapello County
- Jersey Avenue Van Buren County
- Van Buren County
- Jefferson Street Viaduct Ottumwa
- Lake Showme Drive Scotland County
- Us 136 Schuyler County
Track Utt 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 Utt Dam
Where does the data for Utt 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 Utt Dam.