Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-52 dam
Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-52
Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-52, located in Selma, Iowa, is a crucial structure designed by the USDA NRCS for flood risk reduction in the area. Completed in 2011, this earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet with a length of 420 feet, providing a storage capacity of 117 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 4 acres. The dam plays a significant role in managing water flow and reducing the risk of flooding in the region, making it a vital asset for water resource and climate enthusiasts.
Managed by the Iowa DNR and falling under state jurisdiction, Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-52 is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced to ensure its structural integrity and compliance with safety standards. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated, this dam serves as a reliable flood control measure for the surrounding areas. Its strategic location near the Tr to Bear Creek river/stream further enhances its effectiveness in mitigating flood risks and protecting the community from potential water-related disasters.
As a part of the broader water management efforts in the region, Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-52 stands out as a key infrastructure for flood risk reduction. With its purposeful design, state-regulated operations, and low hazard potential, this dam exemplifies the importance of proactive water resource management in safeguarding communities against the impact of extreme weather events and climate change. For water resource and climate enthusiasts, this site serves as a noteworthy example of sustainable infrastructure for resilience in the face of environmental challenges.
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 26-52 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 21,400 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 1,030 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 412 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Bussey | 1,070 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-52.
Boat launches
- Jefferson Street Viaduct Ottumwa
- Cliffland Road Wapello County
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Isthmus Place Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
- Avian Court Appanoose County
Track Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-52 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 26-52
Where does the data for Soap Creek Watershed Site 26-52 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 26-52.