Shaw Dam dam
Shaw Dam
Shaw Dam, located in Des Moines, Iowa, is a privately-owned earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1969. With a height of 33 feet and a length of 250 feet, the dam serves primarily for fire protection and as a stock or small fish pond. It has a storage capacity of 38 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3 acres, with a drainage area of 0.06 square miles.
Managed by the Iowa DNR and regulated by the state, Shaw Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Although its condition is currently not rated, the dam undergoes state inspection, permitting, and enforcement. The spillway is uncontrolled, and the dam's foundation is soil-based, serving as a vital structure in the region for water resource management and climate adaptation efforts.
Situated along the TR-Big Hollow Creek and the Mississippi River, Shaw Dam plays a crucial role in water retention and storage for the surrounding area. With its strategic location and purposeful design, the dam contributes to fire protection, stock maintenance, and ecological sustainability. As a key feature in the local landscape, Shaw Dam exemplifies the integration of infrastructure and natural resources management for the benefit of both water resources and climate enthusiasts alike.
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 Shaw Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Skunk River At Augusta | 9,200 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Wapello | 14,600 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant | 84 cfs | → |
| Henderson Creek Near Oquawka | 277 cfs | → |
| Pope Creek Near Keithsburg | 98 cfs | → |
| Edwards River Near New Boston | 222 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shaw Dam.
Boat launches
- High Street Burlington
- Des Moines County
- Schuyler Street Oquawka
- Diversion Channel Des Moines County
- 78th Street Louisa County
- Putney's Landing Access Road Henderson County
Campgrounds
- Big Hollow Creek Park
- Geode State Park Campground
- Geode State Park
- Upper Augusta Skunk River Access
- Grays Landing
- Stephenson Park
More reservoirs
Track Shaw 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 Shaw Dam
Where does the data for Shaw 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 Shaw Dam.