Ramsey Dam dam
Ramsey Dam
Ramsey Dam, located in Harrison County, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam primarily designed for grade stabilization along TR- WILLOW CREEK. Constructed by the NRCS in 2000, the dam stands at a height of 43 feet and spans 550 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 22 acre-feet. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type and low hazard potential, Ramsey Dam is classified as having a moderate risk level, indicating potential risks that warrant attention from water resource and climate enthusiasts.
The dam's purpose of grade stabilization aligns with its key feature of stone core construction on a soil foundation. With a normal storage capacity of 15 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.39 square miles, Ramsey Dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow in the region. While the dam has not been inspected or rated for condition assessment, its risk management measures and emergency action plans are areas of interest for those monitoring water resource infrastructure.
Given the dam's location within the Rock Island District and its association with the USACE, stakeholders may find opportunities for collaboration in enhancing the safety and efficiency of Ramsey Dam. As climate change continues to impact water resources, understanding the risk profile and management strategies of dams like Ramsey becomes increasingly important for ensuring the resilience of water infrastructure in the face of evolving environmental challenges.
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 Ramsey Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Soldier River At Pisgah | 125 cfs | → |
| Boyer River At Logan | 432 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River Near Turin | 1,680 cfs | → |
| Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin | 187 cfs | → |
| Maple River At Mapleton | 264 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Decatur | 26,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ramsey Dam.
Boat launches
- Pelican Point
- Desoto Bend Nwr
- Blair City Boat Ramp
- Summit Lake
- Decatur
- Dodge Park Road , 68112:68152 Omaha
Track Ramsey 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 Ramsey Dam
Where does the data for Ramsey 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 Ramsey Dam.