Masek Dam dam
Masek Dam
Masek Dam, located in Winneshiek County, Iowa, along the Turkey River, was completed in 2001 by the NRCS. This privately owned earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. With a storage capacity of 71 acre-feet and a surface area of 3.5 acres, Masek Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the area.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Masek Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level. The dam, made of stone core and soil foundation, is state-regulated and undergoes regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement by the Iowa DNR. The dam does not have a spillway and is categorized as uncontrolled, highlighting the importance of proper maintenance and monitoring to ensure its structural integrity and safety.
With its strategic location and key role in water storage and management, Masek Dam is a vital asset for the local community in Ft. Atkinson. As climate change continues to impact water resources, dams like Masek play a crucial role in mitigating risks and ensuring water security for both human and environmental needs. The dam's construction and ongoing maintenance reflect a commitment to sustainable water resource management in the face of evolving climatic challenges.
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 Masek Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey River At Spillville | 109 cfs | → |
| Turkey River Near Eldorado | 387 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River At Decorah | 391 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River At Bluffton | 256 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester | 613 cfs | → |
| Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli | 118 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Masek Dam.
Boat launches
- Winneshiek County
- Nature Road 14177, Fayette County
- Sunset Road Fayette County
- Valley Avenue Howard County
- River Street Clermont
- Canoe Road Fayette County
Campgrounds
- Lake Meyer County Park Campground
- Pulpit Rock Campground
- Goeken County Park Campground
- Goeken Co Park
- Gouldsburg County Park
- Gouldsburg County Park Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- The Town Of Bluffton To The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek
- The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
- The Minnesota-Iowa State Border To Ends Near The Town Of Bluffton, Iowa
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
- The Big Green River To The River's Mouth At The Mississippi River
Track Masek 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 Masek Dam
Where does the data for Masek 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 Masek Dam.