Vernon Spring Dam dam
Vernon Spring Dam
Vernon Spring Dam, located in Howard County, Iowa, was completed in 1857 and serves as a vital water resource structure on the Turkey River. With a height of 8 feet and a length of 150 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 110 acre-feet and a drainage area of 73 square miles. The spillway type is controlled, and despite its low hazard potential, the dam is classified as having a very high risk due to its age and condition assessment being not rated.
Owned by the local government and regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Vernon Spring Dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and storage in the area. While its primary purpose is categorized as "Other," the dam serves various purposes related to water resource management. Although not currently rated for its condition, the dam is subject to regular state inspections, with enforcement and permitting also carried out by state agencies.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Vernon Spring Dam presents an intriguing case study in the management of aging infrastructure and the challenges of balancing water storage and flood control. With a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of maintaining and upgrading critical water resource structures to adapt to changing environmental conditions and ensure long-term sustainability.
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 Vernon Spring 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 | → |
| Upper Iowa River At Decorah | 344 cfs | → |
| Turkey River Near Eldorado | 367 cfs | → |
| Little Cedar River Near Ionia | 329 cfs | → |
| Root River Near Pilot Mound | 393 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Vernon Spring Dam.
Boat launches
- Valley Avenue Howard County
- Miller Street Howard County
- Winneshiek County
- Howard County
- Wapsi Great Western Line Mitchell County
- Sunset Road Fayette County
Campgrounds
- Turkey River Campground
- Howard County Fairgrounds Campground
- Kendallville Park Campground
- Lidtke County Park Campground
- Canoe Landing
- North Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The Minnesota-Iowa State Border To Ends Near The Town Of Bluffton, Iowa
- The Town Of Bluffton To The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek
- The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
Track Vernon Spring 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 Vernon Spring Dam
Where does the data for Vernon Spring 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 Vernon Spring Dam.