Diamond Lake Dam, located in Dickinson County, Iowa, is a state-owned structure completed in 1957 primarily for recreational purposes. The dam, an earth type with a height of 8 feet and a length of 400 feet, impounds the waters of the Little Sioux River to create Diamond Lake. With a storage capacity of 1800 acre-feet, the dam serves as a popular destination for water enthusiasts and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

The dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is inspected, permitted, and enforced by state agencies to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. Despite its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam's condition assessment is currently not rated. The dam has an uncontrolled spillway type and a surface area of 129 acres, providing ample space for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and wildlife watching.

While Diamond Lake Dam may not be the largest or most complex structure, its importance lies in providing a safe and enjoyable environment for visitors to engage with nature and water resources. As climate and water resource enthusiasts, understanding the management and maintenance of dams like Diamond Lake Dam is crucial to ensuring the sustainability and resilience of our water infrastructure in the face of changing environmental conditions.