Dessel Dam dam
Dessel Dam
Dessel Dam, located in Cherokee, Iowa, along the TR-Little Sioux River, was completed in 1963 and is primarily used for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. Owned privately, the dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections and enforcement measures to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating of 3, Dessel Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the region.
Constructed by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Dessel Dam is an earth dam with a height of 35 feet and a length of 275 feet, providing a storage capacity of 51 acre-feet. The dam's uncontrolled spillway and soil foundation contribute to its structural integrity, while its location within the Omaha District of the US Army Corps of Engineers ensures adherence to federal guidelines and standards. Despite not currently being rated for condition assessment, Dessel Dam remains a key feature in the local landscape and serves as a vital component in the area's water infrastructure.
As climate change continues to impact water resources and weather patterns, Dessel Dam stands as a critical asset for water management and emergency preparedness in Cherokee, Iowa. With its strategic placement along the TR-Little Sioux River and its capacity for storage and flood control, the dam plays a crucial role in mitigating risks and ensuring the safety of surrounding communities. As efforts to enhance resilience and adapt to changing environmental conditions progress, Dessel Dam remains a key focal point for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to understand the intersection of infrastructure, regulation, and sustainability in the face of a changing climate.
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 Dessel Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Sioux River At Linn Grove | 1,670 cfs | → |
| Ocheyedan River Near Spencer | 469 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At Alton | 258 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River At Correctionville | 2,650 cfs | → |
| North Raccoon River Near Sac City | 426 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At James | 755 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Dessel Dam.
More reservoirs
Track Dessel 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 Dessel Dam
Where does the data for Dessel 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 Dessel Dam.