Latty Dam dam
Latty Dam
Latty Dam, located in Des Moines, Iowa, serves multiple purposes including fire protection and providing a habitat for small fish. Built in 1966 by the USDA NRCS, this private-owned earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet and has a storage capacity of 35 acre-feet. The dam sits on the TR-Yellow Spring Creek, a tributary of the Mississippi River, and is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Latty Dam has not been officially rated for its condition as of yet. Despite its age, the dam has not undergone any major modifications since its last inspection in 1965. The spillway type for the dam is uncontrolled, indicating that water flow is not regulated. Although there are no associated structures or outlet gates, the dam continues to play a vital role in water resource management in the area.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find Latty Dam to be an intriguing structure due to its historical significance and the various purposes it serves. As part of the Rock Island District, the dam provides essential water storage for fire protection and serves as a habitat for aquatic life. The dam's location on the TR-Yellow Spring Creek highlights its importance in the local ecosystem and its role in managing water flow in the region. With its unique design and regulatory oversight by the Iowa DNR, Latty Dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water resource management in Iowa.
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 Latty Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Henderson Creek Near Oquawka | 277 cfs | → |
| Skunk River At Augusta | 9,200 cfs | → |
| Pope Creek Near Keithsburg | 98 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Wapello | 14,600 cfs | → |
| Edwards River Near New Boston | 222 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant | 84 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Latty Dam.
Boat launches
- Des Moines County
- High Street Burlington
- Schuyler Street Oquawka
- Diversion Channel Des Moines County
- Putney's Landing Access Road Henderson County
- 20th Street 1000, Louisa County
Campgrounds
- Big Hollow Creek Park
- Henderson County State Conservation
- Delabar State Park
- Fourth Pumping Plant Rec Area
- Big River State Forest
- Lower Augusta Skunk River Access
More reservoirs
Track Latty 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 Latty Dam
Where does the data for Latty 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 Latty Dam.