Lehr Dam dam
Lehr Dam
Lehr Dam, located in Lucas, Iowa, is a privately-owned structure designed by USDA NRCS for grade stabilization purposes. Completed in 2006, this earth dam stands at a height of 33 feet and spans 399 feet in length. With a normal storage capacity of 25 acre-feet and a maximum storage of 39 acre-feet, the dam serves various purposes including fish and wildlife pond, recreation, and water supply.
Situated on a tributary to Brush Creek, Lehr Dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the area while providing recreational opportunities for the community. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," the dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. While it currently lacks certain emergency preparedness measures like an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and inundation maps, Lehr Dam continues to serve as a vital infrastructure for water resource management in the region.
Managed by a private owner, Lehr Dam is a significant piece of infrastructure contributing to water conservation efforts in Iowa. With its stone core and soil foundation, the dam exemplifies sustainable engineering practices for grade stabilization. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, it is important to recognize and appreciate the role that structures like Lehr Dam play in enhancing the resilience of ecosystems and communities in the face of changing climatic conditions.
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 Lehr Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 4 cfs | → |
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 28 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 52 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 225 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 222 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lehr Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 34 Clarke County
- Red Haw Nature Trail Lucas County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- County Road S70 Appanoose County
Campgrounds
- Longbeard Camp
- Black Oak Camp
- White Oak Camp
- Bottom Oak Camp
- Buck Stop Camp
- Red Haw State Park Campground
More reservoirs
Track Lehr 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 Lehr Dam
Where does the data for Lehr 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 Lehr Dam.