Molseed Dam dam
Molseed Dam
Molseed Dam, located in Vail, Iowa, is a privately owned structure built in 2001 by the NRCS to serve multiple purposes including fire protection and the creation of a small fish pond. The dam is primarily made of earth and stands at a height of 24 feet with a length of 410 feet, providing a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet. Situated on the TR- EAST BOYER RIVER, the dam is regulated by the Iowa DNR and is subject to regular inspections, enforcement, and permitting to ensure its safe operation.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Molseed Dam is considered to have a moderate risk profile, indicating the need for ongoing risk management measures. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and is surrounded by a surface area of 4.3 acres within a drainage area of 0.25 square miles. With its strategic location and design, Molseed Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the Crawford County region, contributing to the overall environmental sustainability and protection of the local ecosystem.
As a key infrastructure asset in the area, Molseed Dam not only provides essential services such as fire protection and stock pond management but also supports biodiversity and water conservation efforts. With its low hazard potential and moderate risk profile, the dam serves as a vital component of the region's water resource management strategy, highlighting the importance of proactive monitoring and maintenance to ensure its long-term functionality and resilience in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Molseed Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Raccoon River Near Sac City | 426 cfs | → |
| Maple River At Mapleton | 404 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River Near Turin | 3,050 cfs | → |
| Soldier River At Pisgah | 165 cfs | → |
| Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin | 449 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River At Correctionville | 2,650 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Molseed Dam.
Boat launches
Track Molseed 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 Molseed Dam
Where does the data for Molseed 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 Molseed Dam.