Lynch Dam dam
Lynch Dam
Lynch Dam, located in Mt. Sterling, Iowa, along the TR-Fox River, was completed in 2013 by the USDA NRCS for flood risk reduction purposes. This privately owned earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet and spans 500 feet, with a storage capacity of 56 acre-feet. The dam serves to control debris, stabilize grades, and reduce flood risks in the area, making it a vital infrastructure for water resource management in Davis County.
Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Lynch Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 12 feet and an outlet gate. While the dam is state-regulated and inspected by the Iowa DNR, there is no information available on its maintenance and emergency preparedness measures. The surrounding community should be aware of the dam's presence and its role in protecting against potential flooding events.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in Lynch Dam's construction, design, and impact on the Fox River watershed in Iowa will find this structure an essential piece of infrastructure. With its primary purpose of flood risk reduction, Lynch Dam plays a crucial role in managing water flow and protecting downstream areas from potential inundation. As climate change continues to pose challenges to water resources, understanding the functions and condition of dams like Lynch Dam is essential for sustainable water management in the region.
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 Lynch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 56 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 19 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 7,220 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 9 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lynch Dam.
Boat launches
- Us 136 Schuyler County
- Isthmus Place Appanoose County
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Islandview Place Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
- Avian Court Appanoose County
Track Lynch 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 Lynch Dam
Where does the data for Lynch 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 Lynch Dam.