Lidtke Mill Dam dam
Lidtke Mill Dam
Lidtke Mill Dam, located on the Upper Iowa River in Howard County, Iowa, was completed in 1860 and stands at a height of 12 feet with a length of 120 feet. The dam serves a primary purpose not specified in the data, but its low hazard potential and very high risk assessment rating make it a significant structure in terms of water resource management and climate resilience. The dam is state-regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, with permits, inspections, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Despite its age, Lidtke Mill Dam remains a crucial part of the local water infrastructure, with a storage capacity of 198 acre-feet and a drainage area of 182 square miles. The dam's controlled spillway and other features indicate a level of sophistication in its design, making it an important asset for flood control and water supply management in the region. The dam's risk management measures and high-risk assessment underscore the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance to protect against potential hazards and ensure its continued functionality in the face of changing climate conditions.
Overall, Lidtke Mill Dam stands as a testament to the historical importance of water infrastructure in the region and the ongoing challenges of managing these systems in the context of climate change. Its unique characteristics, state regulation, and risk assessment highlight the complex interplay between water resources, infrastructure, and climate resilience, making it a key site of interest for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to understand the impact of these factors on our built environment.
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 Lidtke Mill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Iowa River At Bluffton | 252 cfs | → |
| Turkey River At Spillville | 97 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Pilot Mound | 393 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River At Decorah | 344 cfs | → |
| Little Cedar River Near Ionia | 329 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Charles City | 627 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lidtke Mill Dam.
Boat launches
- Miller Street Howard County
- Valley Avenue Howard County
- Wapsi Great Western Line Mitchell County
- Howard County
- Winneshiek County
Campgrounds
- Lidtke County Park Campground
- Howard County Fairgrounds Campground
- Turkey River Campground
- Forestville State Park
- Kendallville Park Campground
- Riverview Group Camp
Fishing spots
Track Lidtke Mill 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 Lidtke Mill Dam
Where does the data for Lidtke Mill 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 Lidtke Mill Dam.