Stills Dam dam
Stills Dam
Stills Dam, located in Appanoose County, Iowa, is a private earth dam completed in 2007 by the NRCS. The dam stands at a height of 31 feet and spans 440 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 95 acre-feet. Its primary purpose is for fire protection, stock, or a small fish pond, serving as a vital resource for the surrounding area. The dam is regulated and inspected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Surrounded by the scenic Rathbun Reservoir and situated along the Tr- Buck Branch stream, Stills Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. With a surface area of 5.8 acres and drainage area of 0.15 square miles, the dam helps to control water flow and provide storage during periods of high demand. Despite being categorized as having a low hazard potential, the dam is subject to moderate risk assessment due to its age and structural factors.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Stills Dam presents an intriguing case study in dam management and maintenance. With its unique design and purpose, the dam highlights the importance of sustainable water infrastructure in mitigating risks and supporting local communities. As a key player in the Kansas City District managed by private owners, Stills Dam serves as a testament to the intersection of water resource management, climate resilience, and regulatory oversight in safeguarding essential water supplies for future generations.
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 Stills Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 19 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 56 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 4 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Bussey | 24 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Stills Dam.
Boat launches
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
- Avian Court Appanoose County
- Husky Place Appanoose County
- Islandview Place Appanoose County
- Isthmus Place Appanoose County
Track Stills 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 Stills Dam
Where does the data for Stills 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 Stills Dam.