Morf Dam dam
Morf Dam
Morf Dam, located in Linn County, Iowa, is a private-owned earth dam primarily used for recreation. Constructed in 2013 by designer Shive Hattery, the dam stands at 33 feet high with a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet. The dam's purpose is to provide recreational opportunities in the Moscow area, with a surface area of 2.5 acres and a drainage area of 0.07 square miles.
Situated along a tributary to the Cedar River, Morf Dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. With a hazard potential rated as low, the dam has not been assessed for its condition but remains in use for recreational purposes. Despite being a private structure, Morf Dam contributes to the overall water resource management in the area and highlights the importance of sustainable water use in the face of climate change challenges.
Although not a federal project, Morf Dam serves as a reminder of the diverse water infrastructure across the United States that caters to various needs, from recreation to flood control. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates continue to monitor and manage water systems, structures like Morf Dam play a crucial role in balancing human activities with environmental conservation efforts 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 Morf Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar River At Cedar Rapids | 4,490 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville | 2,140 cfs | → |
| Rapid Creek Near Iowa City | 10 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Coralville | 29 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Iowa City | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Clear Creek Near Oxford | 26 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morf Dam.
Boat launches
- Kepler Drive Linn County
- Cedar Park Road Linn County
- Lake Mcbride Road East Big Grove Township
- Lake Mcbride Road Northeast Big Grove Township
- Poplar Avenue Northeast Big Grove Township
Campgrounds
- Palisades Kepler State Park
- Lake Macbride State Park Campground
- Squaw Creek County Park
- Morgan Creek County Park
- Kent Park Family Campground
- F. W. Kent County Park
More reservoirs
Track Morf 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 Morf Dam
Where does the data for Morf 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 Morf Dam.