Mitchell Mill Dam dam
Mitchell Mill Dam
Mitchell Mill Dam, located in Mitchell County, Iowa, was completed in 1925 and stands at a height of 19 feet, with a length of 590 feet. The dam, primarily designed for recreation purposes, holds a normal storage capacity of 1454 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 120 acres. The Red Cedar River flows through this picturesque location, offering visitors a tranquil setting for various outdoor activities.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Mitchell Mill Dam boasts a low hazard potential and has a history of regular inspections to ensure its structural integrity. The dam features a unique design with a stone core and soil foundation, with controlled outlet gates including Tainter radial gates. Despite its age, the dam remains a popular spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife observation in the surrounding area.
With its rich history and scenic surroundings, Mitchell Mill Dam continues to attract visitors seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of Iowa. As one of the many dams regulated by state and federal agencies, it serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible water resource management in the face of climate change. Whether enjoying a leisurely day by the river or studying the dam's engineering marvels, Mitchell Mill Dam offers a glimpse into the intersection of human intervention and natural landscapes.
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 Mitchell Mill Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Winnebago River At Mason City | 338 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Charles City | 531 cfs | → |
| Cedar River Near Austin | 158 cfs | → |
| Little Cedar River Near Ionia | 232 cfs | → |
| Shell Rock River At Shell Rock | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Waverly | 1,650 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mitchell Mill Dam .
Boat launches
- Wapsi Great Western Line Mitchell County
- Howard County
- Big Blue Loop Mason City
- South Pierce Avenue Mason City
- Oakland Place Northeast Austin
- Finch Avenue Worth County
Campgrounds
- Interstate County Park Campground
- Osage Sprink Park Campground
- Halvorson County Park Campground
- Riverside County Park Campground
- Pioneer County Park
- Otranto County Park Campground
Track Mitchell Mill 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 Mitchell Mill Dam
Where does the data for Mitchell Mill 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 Mitchell Mill Dam .