Twin Anchors Lake Dam dam
Twin Anchors Lake Dam
Located in Maxwell, Iowa, Twin Anchors Lake Dam is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of recreation. Built in 1960 by the USDA NRCS, this earthen dam stands at 42 feet high and spans 508 feet in length, creating a surface area of 4.4 acres and a storage capacity of 67 acre-feet. The dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with state regulations.
Situated on TR-Dye Creek in Story County, Twin Anchors Lake Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, the dam has not experienced any major modifications since its completion. While the dam is not owned or funded by any federal agencies, it is designed and inspected by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. With its scenic location and recreational opportunities, Twin Anchors Lake Dam serves as a vital resource for water and climate enthusiasts in the area.
Overall, Twin Anchors Lake Dam is a well-maintained and essential structure in Iowa, providing both recreational enjoyment and water resource management. With its dedication to safety and compliance, this dam continues to play a crucial role in the local landscape and ecosystem, offering a peaceful retreat for visitors and a valuable asset for environmental enthusiasts and climate advocates.
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 Twin Anchors Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Skunk River Below Squaw Creek Near Ames | 424 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Mingo | 213 cfs | → |
| Squaw Creek At Ames | 148 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River Near Ames | 241 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Marshalltown | 768 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River At Colfax | 631 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Twin Anchors Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- 250th Street Story County
- 255th Street Story County
- Arney Avenue Marshall County
- West Riverside Road Story County
- Waterbury Circle Ames
- Marsh Avenue Marshall County
Track Twin Anchors 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 Twin Anchors Lake Dam
Where does the data for Twin Anchors 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 Twin Anchors Lake Dam.