Berndt Dam dam
Berndt Dam
Berndt Dam, located in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. Built in 2007 by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), this earth dam stands at a height of 33 feet and spans a length of 524 feet, with a storage capacity of 72 acre-feet. Situated on TR- Jim Creek, the dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections, enforcement, and permitting to ensure its safety and compliance.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, Berndt Dam plays a crucial role in providing water resource management for the surrounding area. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and soil foundation contribute to its resilience and functionality, while its surface area of 4.2 acres serves as a valuable resource for local fire protection and livestock watering needs. Despite being privately owned, the dam's importance in mitigating climate-related risks and ensuring water security for the community highlights the significance of effective dam management and regulation.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the significance of structures like Berndt Dam in balancing environmental conservation with human needs is imperative. With its strategic location and purposeful design, this earth dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices in mitigating climate change impacts and ensuring resilient water infrastructure for future generations. From fire protection to stock watering, Berndt Dam exemplifies the critical role that small-scale dams play in safeguarding water resources and enhancing community resilience in the face of 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 Berndt Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Nishnabotna River At Hancock | 340 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River Near Atlantic | 239 cfs | → |
| Boyer River At Logan | 520 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak | 480 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Omaha | 32,700 cfs | → |
| West Nishnabotna River At Randolph | 895 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Berndt Dam.
Track Berndt 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 Berndt Dam
Where does the data for Berndt 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 Berndt Dam.