Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1 dam
Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1
Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1, located in Fairfield, Iowa, is a significant water supply structure built in 1888 on TR-Cedar Creek. The dam stands at a height of 40 feet and spans 500 feet, providing a storage capacity of 350 acre-feet. With a drainage area of 0.12 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining a normal storage capacity of 292 acre-feet, ensuring a stable water supply for the local community.
Managed by the Local Government and regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1 has been assessed as being in satisfactory condition as of May 2018. Although it has a significant hazard potential, the dam's risk assessment is moderate. With a regular inspection frequency of 5 years and emergency preparedness protocols in place, the dam serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource management in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1 offers insights into the historical development of water supply infrastructure in Iowa. Its earth-type construction and uncontrolled spillway design present unique engineering challenges and opportunities for sustainable water management practices. As a key component of the local water supply system, the dam exemplifies the intersection of human ingenuity, environmental stewardship, and community resilience in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills | 1,110 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Keosauqua | 21,500 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant | 84 cfs | → |
| North Skunk River Near Sigourney | 3,590 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 22,200 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1.
Boat launches
- Dogwood Avenue Washington County
- W15 / 330th Avenue Keokuk County
- County Road V5g Keokuk County
- Van Buren County
- Cliffland Road Wapello County
- Jersey Avenue Van Buren County
Track Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1 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 Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1
Where does the data for Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1 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 Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1.