Woodland Lake Dam dam
Woodland Lake Dam
Woodland Lake Dam in Polk County, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam constructed in 1971 by the USDA NRCS. Situated along the TR-SKUNK RIVER, this dam serves as a crucial water resource for the area, providing a storage capacity of 723 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 28.7 acres. With a significant hazard potential and a fair condition assessment, Woodland Lake Dam is under the regulatory oversight of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), ensuring regular inspections and enforcement of safety measures.
The dam stands at a height of 43 feet and spans a length of 1330 feet, with a controlled spillway width of 2 feet. Its primary purpose and associated structures are not specified, but it plays a vital role in managing the drainage area of 1.18 square miles. Despite its fair condition, the risk assessment for Woodland Lake Dam is very high, underscoring the importance of ongoing monitoring and risk management measures. Located in Colfax, Iowa, this dam is a key infrastructure for water resource and climate enthusiasts to study and engage with, given its critical role in the local ecosystem.
Woodland Lake Dam's location, design, and operational history make it a fascinating subject for water resource and climate enthusiasts. With its significant hazard potential and fair condition assessment, this privately owned dam presents both challenges and opportunities for sustainable water management. As it continues to be regulated by the Iowa DNR and undergo regular inspections, understanding the risk factors and management measures associated with Woodland Lake Dam is essential for ensuring the safety and resilience of this important water resource infrastructure in Polk County, 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 Woodland Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny | 154 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Mingo | 724 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Des Moines | 217 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River At Colfax | 1,880 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Saylorville | 4,250 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue | 5,350 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Woodland Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Northwest 94th Avenue Polk County
- Johnston
- Neal Smith Trail Polk County
- Saylorville Boat Ramp
- Birdland Park Boat Launch
Track Woodland 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 Woodland Lake Dam
Where does the data for Woodland 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 Significant 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 Woodland Lake Dam.