Bachman Dam dam
Bachman Dam
Bachman Dam, located in Osceola, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS for grade stabilization purposes. Completed in 2013, this earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and has a storage capacity of 59 acre-feet. Although its primary purpose is grade stabilization, the dam also serves for recreation and water supply in the area.
Situated on a tributary to White Breast Creek, Bachman Dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region, with a low hazard potential and a condition assessment that is currently not rated. The dam has a spillway width of 20 feet and a maximum discharge of 195 cubic feet per second, ensuring proper water flow regulation. While the dam has not been inspected recently, it is regulated and permitted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, with state jurisdiction and enforcement in place.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Bachman Dam will appreciate its strategic location within Clarke County, Iowa, as well as its contribution to flood control and water supply management. With a focus on grade stabilization and a capacity for recreation, the dam serves multiple purposes while maintaining a low hazard potential. As a privately owned structure with state oversight and regulation, Bachman Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face 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 Bachman Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thompson River At Davis City | 745 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 48 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 7 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 199 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 223 cfs | → |
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 31 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bachman Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 34 Clarke County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- Decatur County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- State Highway 25 Creston
- Red Haw Nature Trail Lucas County
Track Bachman 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 Bachman Dam
Where does the data for Bachman 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 Bachman Dam.