James Russmann Dam dam
James Russmann Dam
James Russmann Dam, located in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 2016. This earth dam stands at a height of 24 feet and spans a length of 600 feet, with a storage capacity of 105 acre-feet. The dam serves as a tributary of the West Nishnabotna River, providing flood control and water resource management for the surrounding area.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the James Russmann Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its safety and functionality. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated", the dam is an essential infrastructure for the community of Hancock. Despite not being rated, the dam's purpose goes beyond flood control and water storage, serving as a vital resource for the local ecosystem and climate resilience.
As a key component of the local water infrastructure, the James Russmann Dam plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks and ensuring water availability in the region. With its stone core and soil foundation, the dam represents a blend of traditional engineering techniques and modern design principles. Although its hazard potential is considered low, ongoing monitoring and maintenance are essential to keep the dam in optimal condition and to uphold its role in water resource management and climate adaptation efforts.
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 James Russmann Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| West Nishnabotna River At Hancock | 340 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River Near Atlantic | 239 cfs | → |
| Boyer River At Logan | 520 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak | 480 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Omaha | 32,700 cfs | → |
| Big Papillion Cr | 64 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near James Russmann Dam.
Boat launches
- Park Road Council Bluffs
- Nebraska Boat Ramp
- Lake Manawa State Park
- Dodge Park Road , 68112:68152 Omaha
- Catfish Rd Council Bluffs
Campgrounds
- Botna Bend County Park
- Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds
- Lyons Park
- Nishna Bend Rec Area
- Arrowhead Park
- Carson City Park
More reservoirs
Track James Russmann 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 James Russmann Dam
Where does the data for James Russmann 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 James Russmann Dam.