West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-38 dam
West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-38
West Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-38 is a flood risk reduction structure located in Decatur, Iowa, owned and regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Designed by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 20 feet and has a storage capacity of 102 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam serves the primary purpose of flood risk reduction in the area.
Situated along the TR- West Fork Big Creek, this structure plays a crucial role in managing water resources and mitigating potential flood risks in the region. With a drainage area of 0.31 square miles and a surface area of 5.3 acres, the dam helps regulate water flow and protect downstream areas from potential inundation. Despite not being currently rated for condition assessment, the dam's low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment make it an important asset in the overall water resource management strategy for the area.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, structures like West Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-38 play a vital role in enhancing resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of changing environmental conditions. With state regulation and inspection in place, this dam serves as a critical infrastructure for safeguarding the community and surrounding areas from the potential impacts of flooding, highlighting the importance of proactive water resource management in the region.
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 West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-38 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thompson River At Davis City | 126 cfs | → |
| East Fork Big Creek Near Bethany | 11 cfs | → |
| East Fork 102 River At Bedford | 1 cfs | → |
| Thompson River At Trenton | 734 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 4 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-38.
Track West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-38 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 West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-38
Where does the data for West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-38 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 West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-38.