Bloomer Dam dam
Bloomer Dam
Bloomer Dam, located in Columbus Junction, Iowa, along Goose Creek, is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of fire protection and serving as a stock or small fish pond. Constructed in 1972 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 25 feet and has a length of 371 feet, providing a storage capacity of 50 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, the dam is state regulated by the Iowa DNR and undergoes regular inspections, permitting, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality.
Despite its relatively small size and low hazard potential, Bloomer Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. The dam's presence helps in fire protection and serves as a water source for livestock and fish, contributing to the overall ecological balance of the area. With a surface area of 2.8 acres and a drainage area of 0.09 square miles, the dam has a normal storage capacity of 25 acre-feet, providing a reliable water source for various purposes in the vicinity.
As a part of the Rock Island District in Iowa, Bloomer Dam represents a significant engineering feat that combines both functionality and environmental conservation. With its uncontrolled spillway type and soil foundation, the dam has been a vital component of the local water infrastructure for almost five decades. Its risk assessment as moderate underscores the importance of continued monitoring and maintenance to ensure its resilience in the face of climate change and evolving water resource management challenges.
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 Bloomer Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa River Near Lone Tree | 3,230 cfs | → |
| Cedar River Near Conesville | 6,160 cfs | → |
| English River At Kalona | 228 cfs | → |
| Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City | 118 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Iowa City | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Wapello | 10,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Bloomer Dam.
Boat launches
- Vine Avenue Washington County
- Sand Road Southeast Johnson County
- Riverside Road Riverside
- 520th Street Southeast Johnson County
- 120th Street Louisa County
- F Avenue 9777, Louisa County
Campgrounds
- River Junction Access
- Marr Park
- Louisa County Fairgrounds
- Hills Access
- Crooked Creek Christian Camp
- Saulsbury Bridge Ra - River Cg
More reservoirs
Track Bloomer 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 Bloomer Dam
Where does the data for Bloomer 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 Bloomer Dam.