Petersen Dam (Merle Petersen) dam
Petersen Dam (Merle Petersen)
Petersen Dam, also known as Merle Petersen Dam, is a privately owned earth dam located in Redfield, Iowa, along a tributary to Brushy Creek. Completed in 2009 by the NRCS, this dam serves the primary purpose of grade stabilization, with a height of 29 feet and a length of 641 feet. It has a storage capacity of 122 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 6.5 acres, with a drainage area of 0.53 square miles.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Petersen Dam is regulated and permitted by the state, ensuring its safety and compliance with environmental regulations. Despite having a low hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is moderate (3), indicating the need for ongoing risk management measures. While the dam's condition assessment is currently not rated, regular inspections and monitoring are in place to maintain its integrity and safety for the surrounding community and environment.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Petersen Dam presents an interesting case study in private dam ownership and regulation. As a vital structure for grade stabilization in the area, the dam's design and construction by the NRCS reflect the importance of sustainable water management practices. With its moderate risk assessment and state oversight, Petersen Dam stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts needed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of water infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Petersen Dam (Merle Petersen) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Raccoon River At Panora | 274 cfs | → |
| Middle Raccoon River Near Bayard | 292 cfs | → |
| South Raccoon River At Redfield | 860 cfs | → |
| North Raccoon River Near Jefferson | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 2,730 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Petersen Dam (Merle Petersen).
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track Petersen Dam (Merle Petersen) 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 Petersen Dam (Merle Petersen)
Where does the data for Petersen Dam (Merle Petersen) 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 Petersen Dam (Merle Petersen).