Rathbun Dam dam
Rathbun Dam
Rathbun Dam, also known as Rathbun Lake, is a federal-owned structure located in Appanoose County, Iowa. Completed in 1972 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the dam serves as a crucial flood risk reduction measure along the Chariton River. With a structural height of 100 feet and a hydraulic height of 92 feet, Rathbun Dam has a storage capacity of 552,000 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 11,013 acres.
The dam's primary purposes include flood risk reduction, as well as providing opportunities for fish and wildlife ponds, navigation, and recreation. Despite its high hazard potential, Rathbun Dam is equipped with risk management measures implemented by the US Army Corps of Engineers. These measures include regular monitoring, maintenance, and engagement with local emergency managers to ensure the dam's structural integrity and readiness for potential emergencies.
Rathbun Dam plays a vital role in managing water levels and mitigating flood risks in the region. With its extensive storage capacity and risk management protocols in place, the dam serves as an essential infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to study and appreciate the complex interactions between water management, environmental conservation, and public safety.
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 Rathbun Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 29 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Moulton | 64 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 84 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 37 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Chariton River At Livonia | 45 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Rathbun Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Isthmus Place Appanoose County
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Islandview Place Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
- Avian Court Appanoose County
- Husky Place Appanoose County
Track Rathbun 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 Rathbun Dam
Where does the data for Rathbun 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 High 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 Rathbun Dam.