Speck Dam dam
Speck Dam
Speck Dam, located in Glenwood, Iowa, along the Keg Creek, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 2004 by the USDA NRCS for grade stabilization purposes. Standing at 34 feet high and stretching 220 feet in length, this dam has a storage capacity of 26 acre-feet and serves to control water flow in the area. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of 'Not Rated', Speck Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in Mills County.
Although not regulated by the state or subject to regular inspections, Speck Dam is designed to withstand potential risks and emergencies, as it does not currently have an Emergency Action Plan in place. The dam's spillway width of 12 feet and maximum discharge of 10 cubic feet per second ensure the safe release of excess water, reducing the risk of flooding in the surrounding area. Despite its unregulated status, Speck Dam fulfills its purpose effectively and contributes to the overall management of water resources in the region.
As a key structure in the Omaha District, Speck Dam plays a vital role in maintaining water quality and controlling erosion along Keg Creek. While it may not be under federal jurisdiction, its construction and design by the USDA NRCS demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable water management practices. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Speck Dam stands as a testament to the importance of infrastructure in safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.
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 Speck Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River At Omaha | 29,100 cfs | → |
| West Nishnabotna River At Randolph | 693 cfs | → |
| Big Papillion Cr | 38 cfs | → |
| Platte R At Louisville Ne | 4,040 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak | 588 cfs | → |
| Weeping Water Creek At Union | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Speck Dam.
Boat launches
- Mills County
- Us 34;Us 275 Mills County
- I 29;Us 275 Mills County
- Haworth River Park
- Catfish Rd Council Bluffs
- Lake Manawa State Park
Campgrounds
- Glenwood Lake Park
- Pony Creek Co Park
- Famcamp
- Offutt Afb Military
- Haworth City Park - Bellevue
- Lake Manawa State Park
More reservoirs
Track Speck 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 Speck Dam
Where does the data for Speck 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 Speck Dam.