Carpenter Dam dam
Carpenter Dam
Carpenter Dam, located in Indianola, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by Vance & Hochstetler. Completed in 1977, this earth dam stands at a height of 48 feet and has a length of 505 feet. The primary purpose of Carpenter Dam is for fire protection, stock, or as a small fish pond, with additional recreational opportunities. The dam has a storage capacity of 58 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 3.8 acres, serving the TR-SOUTH RIVER in Warren County.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Carpenter Dam is regulated, inspected, and enforced by state agencies to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam poses minimal risk to surrounding areas. Although the condition assessment is not rated, the dam is regularly inspected, with the last inspection conducted in October 2003.
Carpenter Dam, with its peaceful surroundings and recreational opportunities, serves as a vital water resource and contributes to the local ecosystem. Water and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the dam's role in providing fire protection, supporting wildlife, and offering recreational activities. As a key feature in the Kansas City District, Carpenter Dam stands as a testament to responsible water management and conservation efforts in Iowa.
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 Carpenter Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South River Near Ackworth | 1,990 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 1,120 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines | 10,200 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Fleur Drive | 2,900 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Carpenter Dam.
Boat launches
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- County Park Des Moines
- Polk County
- Southeast Vandalia Drive Pleasant Hill
Track Carpenter 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 Carpenter Dam
Where does the data for Carpenter 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 Carpenter Dam.