Sievers Dam dam
Sievers Dam
Sievers Dam, located in Louisa County, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by the NRCS with state regulation and enforcement by the Iowa DNR. Completed in 2004, this earth dam serves the primary purposes of fire protection, stock, and small fish pond management. With a height of 31 feet and a length of 350 feet, Sievers Dam has a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 30 acre-feet. The dam is situated on TR- LONG CREEK and is under the jurisdiction of the Rock Island District of the USACE.
The hazard potential of Sievers Dam is rated as low, with a moderate risk assessment score of 3. Although the condition assessment is not rated, the dam has not been modified since its completion. The spillway type is uncontrolled, with a width of 1 foot. The dam has not been inspected recently, and there is no emergency action plan in place. Despite these limitations, Sievers Dam remains a vital resource for water management and conservation in the area, contributing to the overall sustainability of the region's water supply and ecosystem.
As a significant feature in the local landscape, Sievers Dam provides essential services for fire protection and agricultural activities, while also supporting wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. While the dam's risk assessment suggests a need for monitoring and potential upgrades in the future, its current operations meet the guidelines for safe and efficient water management. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is crucial to recognize the importance of structures like Sievers Dam in maintaining the balance between human needs and environmental stewardship in a changing climate.
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 Sievers Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa River Near Lone Tree | 2,760 cfs | → |
| Cedar River Near Conesville | 5,700 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Wapello | 9,780 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant | 6 cfs | → |
| English River At Kalona | 217 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills | 53 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sievers Dam.
Boat launches
- Vine Avenue Washington County
- Riverside Road Riverside
- Sand Road Southeast Johnson County
- 120th Street Louisa County
- F Avenue 9777, Louisa County
- 78th Street Louisa County
Track Sievers 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 Sievers Dam
Where does the data for Sievers 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 Sievers Dam.