Carl Dam dam
Carl Dam
Carl Dam, located in Marengo, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by NRCS for fire protection, stock, or small fish pond purposes. Completed in 1999, this earth dam stands at a height of 33 feet and spans 206 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 29 acre-feet. Situated on Tr- Buckeye Creek, the dam serves as a crucial water resource in Benton County, Iowa, regulating water flow for various uses.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Carl Dam has a low hazard potential and is deemed to have a moderate risk level. Despite its condition being currently unrated, the dam has not undergone any recent inspections or evaluations. With a spillway width of 1 foot and uncontrolled spillway type, the dam ensures controlled water discharge during heavy rainfall events, minimizing the risk of flooding and protecting downstream areas. Water and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the role of Carl Dam in water management and conservation efforts in the region.
Abby Finkenauer, the Democratic representative for the area, overlooks Carl Dam, ensuring its compliance with state regulations and safety standards. The dam's location in the Detroit District further emphasizes its significance in the local water infrastructure, providing essential services for fire protection and agricultural needs. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the maintenance and monitoring of structures like Carl Dam become increasingly crucial in safeguarding the environment and community wellbeing.
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 Carl Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa River Near Belle Plaine | 2,050 cfs | → |
| Salt Creek Near Elberon | 131 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek Near Hartwick | 33 cfs | → |
| Big Bear Creek At Ladora | 122 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Marengo | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Richland Creek Near Haven | 34 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carl Dam.
Boat launches
- State Highway 21 Iowa County
- 360th Street Tama County
- P Avenue Tama County
- 216th Street Iowa County
- Atv Trail Tama
- 24th Avenue Drive Benton County
Campgrounds
- Hannen County Park
- Lake Iowa County Park
- Middle Amana Park
- Otter Creek Lake And Park
- Rodgers County Park
- Hoefle - Dulin Area County Park
More reservoirs
Track Carl 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 Carl Dam
Where does the data for Carl 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 Carl Dam.