Eldred Sherwood Park Lake Dam dam
Eldred Sherwood Park Lake Dam
Eldred Sherwood Park Lake Dam, located in Hancock County, Iowa, serves as a crucial structure for water resource management in the region. Built in 1967, this earth dam stands at a height of 33 feet and stretches for 555 feet, providing a storage capacity of 360 acre-feet. The dam is primarily used for purposes other than flood control or hydropower generation, making it a key component in maintaining the water levels of the East Branch Iowa River.
Managed by the local government and regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Eldred Sherwood Park Lake Dam is classified as having a low hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite not being currently rated for its condition, the dam is inspected, permitted, and enforced by state authorities to ensure its structural integrity and operational safety. With a surface area of 23 acres and a drainage area of 4.45 square miles, the dam plays a vital role in water storage and flow regulation in the region, contributing to the overall climate resilience and water resource sustainability of the area.
As an essential component of the water infrastructure in Belmond, Iowa, Eldred Sherwood Park Lake Dam remains a critical asset for managing water resources and adapting to the challenges of climate change. With its controlled spillway and soil foundation, the dam provides a reliable means of flood control and water storage, helping to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events and sustainably manage the water supply for the local community. As climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates, understanding the importance of structures like Eldred Sherwood Park Lake Dam is crucial for promoting resilience and stewardship of our natural resources 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 Eldred Sherwood Park Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa River Near Rowan | 332 cfs | → |
| Winnebago River At Mason City | 464 cfs | → |
| East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City | 993 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Humboldt | 1,540 cfs | → |
| Boone River Near Webster City | 574 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Fort Dodge | 3,060 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Eldred Sherwood Park Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Vail Avenue Hancock County
- 150th Street Wright County
- Lake Cornelia Path Wright County
- East Lake Street Ventura
- Nelson Street Cerro Gordo County
- Main Avenue Clear Lake
Track Eldred Sherwood Park Lake 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 Eldred Sherwood Park Lake Dam
Where does the data for Eldred Sherwood Park Lake 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 Eldred Sherwood Park Lake Dam.