Derby Dam dam
Derby Dam
Derby Dam in Iowa, also known as the Soap Creek Reservoir, serves multiple purposes including fire protection, livestock watering, and supporting small fish populations. Constructed in 2001 by the NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans 458 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet. Located in Eldon, Iowa, along the TR-Soap Creek, this dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and functionality.
Despite being classified as low hazard potential, Derby Dam poses a moderate risk due to its age and lack of a recent condition assessment. The spillway, with a width of 2 feet, is uncontrolled, and the dam is designed to handle a drainage area of 0.5 square miles. The surrounding area covers 5.9 acres, providing essential water resources while also posing a potential risk to downstream communities in the event of a breach. With no emergency action plan in place, the management of this dam should be closely monitored to mitigate any potential risks to the environment and public safety.
Owned by the local government, Derby Dam in Iowa represents a key water resource management structure in the state. With a primary focus on serving local agricultural and ecological needs, this dam plays a crucial role in ensuring water availability for firefighting and livestock while also supporting biodiversity in the area. Going forward, continued monitoring and maintenance of Derby Dam will be essential to uphold its integrity and safeguard the surrounding communities and ecosystems from any potential threats or hazards.
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 Derby 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 | 6,500 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 53 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 21 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Keosauqua | 6,530 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Derby Dam.
Boat launches
- Cliffland Road Wapello County
- Jefferson Street Viaduct Ottumwa
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Isthmus Place Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
- Islandview Place Appanoose County
Track Derby 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 Derby Dam
Where does the data for Derby 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 Derby Dam.