Koekenhoff Dam dam
Koekenhoff Dam
Koekenhoff Dam, located in Emmet County, Iowa, is a private Earth dam completed in 2006 for the primary purpose of creating a Fish and Wildlife Pond. Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, this dam on the TR-Des Moines River has a height of 13 feet and a length of 180 feet, with a storage capacity of 108 acre-feet. With a surface area of 9.1 acres and a drainage area of 1.67 square miles, this dam serves as a vital habitat for various wildlife species in the area.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Koekenhoff Dam is under moderate risk assessment due to its location and design. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 45 feet and is regularly inspected and regulated by the Iowa DNR. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, the dam meets all state permitting and inspection requirements, ensuring the safety and integrity of the structure for both the wildlife and surrounding community.
With its strategic location and purposeful design, Koekenhoff Dam stands as a testament to the importance of water resource management for wildlife conservation. As a focal point for fish and wildlife habitat enhancement, this dam plays a crucial role in supporting the ecosystem and enhancing the biodiversity of the TR-Des Moines River. Through continued monitoring and risk management measures, Koekenhoff Dam remains a valuable asset for both wildlife enthusiasts and climate advocates alike.
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 Koekenhoff Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocheyedan River Near Spencer | 417 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Jackson | 522 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River At Linn Grove | 1,490 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Humboldt | 1,690 cfs | → |
| East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City | 796 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Koekenhoff Dam.
Boat launches
- 10th Avenue North Estherville
- 130th Street 3653, Emmet County
- Dam Road 798, Arnolds Park
- Linden Drive 184, Arnolds Park
- 150th Street Spirit Lake
- 140th Street 24728, Orleans
Track Koekenhoff 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 Koekenhoff Dam
Where does the data for Koekenhoff 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 Koekenhoff Dam.