Soap Creek Watershed Site 68-71a dam
Soap Creek Watershed Site 68-71a
Soap Creek Watershed Site 68-71a, located in Monroe County, Iowa, is a critical flood risk reduction structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 2010. This earth dam stands at 30 feet tall and spans 600 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 255 acre-feet. Situated along the Tr to Boyd Branch river, this site plays a vital role in managing water flow and protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Soap Creek Watershed Site 68-71a is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated," this dam serves as a key component in the overall flood risk reduction efforts in the region. Its location in Selma, Iowa, and its primary purpose of flood risk reduction highlight the importance of this site in maintaining water resource sustainability in the area.
With a drainage area of 0.73 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 385 cubic feet per second, Soap Creek Watershed Site 68-71a exemplifies the collaboration between local government, state agencies, and federal designers in safeguarding communities against the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, understanding the significance of structures like this in mitigating flood risks and protecting our natural environment is essential for promoting resilience and sustainability in the face of a changing climate.
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 Soap Creek Watershed Site 68-71a -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 412 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 1,030 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 21,400 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Bussey | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Tracy | 16,300 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Soap Creek Watershed Site 68-71a.
Boat launches
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Isthmus Place Appanoose County
- Avian Court Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
- Husky Place Appanoose County
- Islandview Place Appanoose County
Track Soap Creek Watershed Site 68-71a 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 Soap Creek Watershed Site 68-71a
Where does the data for Soap Creek Watershed Site 68-71a 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 Soap Creek Watershed Site 68-71a.