Wilson Road Ford dam
Wilson Road Ford
Wilson Road Ford is a private water structure located in Allamakee County, Iowa, along the Yellow River. Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, this dam stands at a height of 8 feet and spans 110 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 81 acre-feet. While primarily serving purposes other than flood control or irrigation, Wilson Road Ford is classified as having a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment.
Despite its modest size and storage capacity, Wilson Road Ford plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. With state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place, this dam ensures the regulated flow of water along the Yellow River. While its emergency action plan status and risk management measures are currently not rated, its strategic location and low hazard potential make it a key asset in the overall water infrastructure of Iowa.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Wilson Road Ford serves as a fascinating example of how private structures contribute to the sustainable management of water resources in the state. As part of the St. Paul District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, this dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between private owners and state regulators in ensuring the safety and efficiency of water infrastructure. With its location along the Yellow River and its low hazard potential, Wilson Road Ford represents a vital component of Iowa's water management system.
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 Wilson Road Ford -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow River At Ion | 314 cfs | → |
| Bloody Run Creek Near Marquette | 32 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Mcgregor | 21,700 cfs | → |
| Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo River At Steuben | 736 cfs | → |
| Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester | 199 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wilson Road Ford.
Boat launches
- Old Mission Drive 1815, Allamakee County
- James Drive Allamakee County
- County Road X52 Allamakee County
- Mississippi River -- Ambro Access (Dnr)
- Mississippi River -- Ambro Slough Landing
- Mississippi River -- Lakeview Marina And Bar Boat Access
Campgrounds
- Camp John Schultz
- Camp Glen Wendel
- Brown's Hollow Camp
- Big Paint Creek Campground
- Yellow River State Forest
- Little Paint Creek Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- 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
- The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
- The Town Of Bluffton To The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek
- The Minnesota-Iowa State Border To Ends Near The Town Of Bluffton, Iowa
- Lone Rock To The Confluence Of The Green And Wisconsin Rivers
Track Wilson Road Ford 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 Wilson Road Ford
Where does the data for Wilson Road Ford 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 Wilson Road Ford.