Schmidt Dam dam
Schmidt Dam
Schmidt Dam, located in Washington, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by NRCS for fire protection, stock, or small fish pond purposes. Completed in 2003, this earth dam stands at a height of 21 feet and spans 350 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 90 acre-feet. Situated on TR- Crooked Creek, the dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is subject to regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its safety and functionality.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Schmidt Dam poses minimal threat to surrounding areas. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and is primarily constructed of soil, serving as a valuable resource for water management in the region. Its location in a rural setting and its modest size make it a key asset for fire protection and livestock watering, while also providing a habitat for small fish populations. Despite not being rated for condition assessment, Schmidt Dam continues to play a crucial role in water resource management in the area.
As an essential component of the local water infrastructure, Schmidt Dam contributes to the overall resilience of the region against potential water-related challenges. With its strategic location on Crooked Creek and its capacity to store water for various purposes, the dam serves as a critical asset for maintaining water availability and quality in the area. Through ongoing monitoring, regulation, and maintenance efforts, Schmidt Dam remains a reliable resource for both water supply and environmental conservation, showcasing the importance of sustainable water management practices 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 Schmidt Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| English River At Kalona | 217 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Lone Tree | 2,760 cfs | → |
| Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City | 116 cfs | → |
| North Skunk River Near Sigourney | 308 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Coralville | 27 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Iowa City | 2,010 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Schmidt Dam.
Boat launches
- W15 / 330th Avenue Keokuk County
- Dogwood Avenue Washington County
- Vine Avenue Washington County
- Riverside Road Riverside
- County Road V5g Keokuk County
- Sand Road Southeast Johnson County
Campgrounds
- Crooked Creek Christian Camp
- Brinton Timber
- Skunk River Access
- Lake Darling State Park
- Lake Darling State Park Campground
- Marr Park
More reservoirs
Track Schmidt 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 Schmidt Dam
Where does the data for Schmidt 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 Schmidt Dam.