Norlin Dam dam
Norlin Dam
Norlin Dam, located in Anamosa, Iowa, is a private earth dam completed in 2000 and primarily serves the purposes of fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. With a height of 30 feet and a length of 285 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3.9 acres. The dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is inspected and enforced by state agencies to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
The dam, situated on TR-Buffalo Creek, has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. It features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 1 foot and is designed to withstand hydraulic pressures. The dam's condition is currently not rated, but it is regularly monitored by state agencies to maintain its functionality and safety. Despite its private ownership, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
Overall, Norlin Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for water management in Jones County, Iowa, providing essential services for fire protection, livestock, and recreational activities. Its construction and operation are overseen by state agencies, ensuring that it meets regulatory standards and poses minimal risks to the surrounding environment and communities. As a key component of the local water system, the dam contributes to the region's resilience to climate change and helps safeguard the water resources for future generations.
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 Norlin Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa | 2,920 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Cedar Rapids | 6,580 cfs | → |
| Maquoketa River At Manchester | 525 cfs | → |
| North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton | 420 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville | 3,830 cfs | → |
| Rapid Creek Near Iowa City | 11 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Norlin Dam.
Boat launches
- Lower Park Road Jones County
- Dearborn Road Jones County
- Wakpicada Trail Linn County
- Central City Road Central City
- Central City Trail Central City
Campgrounds
- Wapsipinicon State Park
- Wapsipinicon State Park Campground
- Matsell Bridge Natural Area
- Pack In Campsite #2
- Central Park
- Central County Park Campground
Fishing spots
Track Norlin 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 Norlin Dam
Where does the data for Norlin 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 Norlin Dam.