Ballard Country Club Dam dam
Ballard Country Club Dam
Located in Story County, Iowa, the Ballard Country Club Dam stands as a vital infrastructure for irrigation purposes since its completion in 1974. Designed by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam spans 270 feet in length and reaches a height of 33 feet, with a storage capacity of 84 acre-feet. The dam is situated on the TR-Ballard Creek and serves as a crucial water resource for the surrounding area.
With a surface area of 4.3 acres and a drainage area of 1.13 square miles, the dam plays a pivotal role in regulating water flow and providing irrigation water for agricultural activities in the region. While classified as having a low hazard potential and a satisfactory condition assessment in 2014, the dam is under state regulation and inspection by the Iowa DNR to ensure its structural integrity and safety. Additionally, the dam offers recreational opportunities, showcasing a harmonious blend of functionality and leisure for the local community.
As climate change continues to impact water resources, the Ballard Country Club Dam stands as a symbol of resilience and adaptability in the face of evolving environmental challenges. Its strategic location, efficient design, and regulated maintenance highlight the importance of sustainable water management practices in safeguarding our water supply for future generations. The dam serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts between private owners, state agencies, and federal designers in ensuring the protection and utilization of water resources for both irrigation and recreational purposes in the region.
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 Ballard Country Club 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 | → |
| Squaw Creek At Ames | 148 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River Near Ames | 241 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny | 36 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Saylorville | 3,300 cfs | → |
| Indian Creek Near Mingo | 213 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ballard Country Club Dam.
Boat launches
- Northwest 150th Avenue Polk County
- Northwest Madrid Drive Polk City
- West Riverside Road Story County
- Waterbury Circle Ames
Track Ballard Country Club 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 Ballard Country Club Dam
Where does the data for Ballard Country Club 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 Ballard Country Club Dam.