Dykes Dam dam
Dykes Dam
Dykes Dam, located in Floris, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam designed by USDA NRCS and completed in 2010 for the primary purpose of grade stabilization. With a height of 27 feet and a length of 323 feet, this dam has a storage capacity of 63 acre-feet and serves to regulate the flow of a tributary to Soap Creek. Situated in Davis County, Iowa, Dykes Dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
The dam's hazard potential is rated as low, and its condition has not been assessed. Despite not having a formal Emergency Action Plan (EAP) or updated emergency contacts, Dykes Dam provides essential flood control and water resource management benefits to the surrounding area. With a spillway width of 14 feet and a surface area of 4.4 acres, this structure plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability of the local watershed and protecting downstream communities from potential flooding events.
While Dykes Dam does not fall under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers, it is a vital infrastructure asset for the region. As a key component in the management of water resources and climate resilience efforts, this dam reflects the collaborative efforts of private owners, regulatory agencies, and designers to ensure the safety and sustainability of the surrounding environment. Dykes Dam stands as a testament to the importance of effective dam management in safeguarding communities and natural ecosystems against the impacts of changing climate 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 Dykes Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 21,400 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 1,030 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 412 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Keosauqua | 22,200 cfs | → |
| North Skunk River Near Sigourney | 3,630 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dykes Dam.
Boat launches
- Cliffland Road Wapello County
- Jefferson Street Viaduct Ottumwa
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Isthmus Place Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
- Avian Court Appanoose County
Track Dykes 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 Dykes Dam
Where does the data for Dykes 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 Dykes Dam.