Conley Dam, located in Cherokee, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam completed in 2002 by the NRCS. With a height of 29 feet and a length of 260 feet, the dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond management. It has a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3.1 acres, drawing water from Coonley Creek for its reservoir.

Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Conley Dam is subject to state regulation, inspection, and enforcement by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 4 feet, and its risk assessment is rated as moderate (3). While the dam's condition has not been officially assessed, it is important to note that emergency action plans and risk management measures have not been documented or updated, raising concerns for potential safety issues in the event of a dam failure. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Conley Dam offers a fascinating case study in dam management and risk assessment in the heart of the Midwest.