Morse Lake dam
Morse Lake
Morse Lake is a state-regulated water resource located in Rowan, Wright County, Iowa. Managed by Iowa DNR and designed by Ducks Unlimited, this fish and wildlife pond serves as a recreational area spanning 103 surface acres with a drainage area of 0.5 square miles. With a primary purpose of enhancing fish and wildlife habitats, Morse Lake offers a tranquil setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy nature.
Constructed as an earth dam with a height of 10 feet, Morse Lake has a maximum storage capacity of 806 acre-feet and a normal storage capacity of 542 acre-feet. The low hazard potential of the dam coupled with a moderate risk assessment rating indicates a well-managed water resource. With uncontrolled spillway type and a spillway width of 2 feet, Morse Lake ensures proper water discharge during heavy rainfall events.
Although not currently rated for condition assessment, Morse Lake continues to provide a safe and sustainable environment for both aquatic life and recreational activities. With its picturesque location and ecological significance, Morse Lake stands as a testament to responsible water resource management in the heart of Iowa.
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 Morse Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa River Near Rowan | 332 cfs | → |
| East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City | 993 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Humboldt | 1,540 cfs | → |
| Boone River Near Webster City | 574 cfs | → |
| Winnebago River At Mason City | 464 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Fort Dodge | 3,060 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Morse Lake.
Boat launches
- 150th Street Wright County
- Lake Cornelia Path Wright County
- Vail Avenue Hancock County
- East Lake Street Ventura
- Nelson Street Cerro Gordo County
- Main Avenue Clear Lake
Track Morse Lake 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 Morse Lake
Where does the data for Morse Lake 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 Morse Lake.