Camp Klaus Dam dam
Camp Klaus Dam
Camp Klaus Dam, located in Clayton County, Iowa, along the picturesque Brownfield Creek, is a privately-owned recreational structure designed by the USDA NRCS in 1978. With a dam height of 50 feet and a length of 600 feet, this earth dam provides a serene 12.3-acre surface area for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy activities like fishing, boating, and wildlife watching. The dam's primary purpose is for recreation, offering a peaceful retreat for visitors to immerse themselves in nature.
Managed by the Iowa DNR, Camp Klaus Dam has a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating. While the dam itself is not rated for its condition, it is regularly inspected, permitted, and regulated to ensure the safety of the surrounding area. With a normal storage capacity of 163 acre-feet and a drainage area of 1.32 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management and flood control in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Camp Klaus Dam serves as a fascinating example of sustainable infrastructure that harmoniously blends with its natural surroundings. As a recreational haven nestled in the heart of Iowa's countryside, this earth dam not only provides a peaceful escape for visitors but also contributes to the overall environmental health and resilience of the region. With its rich history, scenic beauty, and functional design, Camp Klaus Dam is a must-visit destination for those passionate about water conservation and climate adaptation.
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 Camp Klaus Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey River At Garber | 960 cfs | → |
| Volga River At Littleport | 203 cfs | → |
| Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader | 868 cfs | → |
| Maquoketa River At Manchester | 246 cfs | → |
| Grant River At Burton | 273 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Mcgregor | 21,700 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Camp Klaus Dam.
Boat launches
- Jupiter Road Clayton County
- 293rd Street Clayton County
- Guttenberg Public Landing
- Mississippi River -- Cassville Public Access
- Jack Oak Slough -- Jack Oak Road Boat Ramp
- Mississippi River -- Glen Haven Public Access
Campgrounds
- Twin Bidges Park Campgrounds
- Fountain Springs County Park
- Edgewood Campground
- New Wine County Park
- New Wine Park Campground
- Canoe Campsite
Fishing spots
Track Camp Klaus 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 Camp Klaus Dam
Where does the data for Camp Klaus 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 Camp Klaus Dam.