Quasqueton Dam dam
Quasqueton Dam
The Quasqueton Dam, located in Buchanan County, Iowa, is a gravity dam built in 1932 along the Wapsipinicon River for the primary purpose of recreation. With a height of 7 feet and a length of 210 feet, the dam provides a surface area of 90 acres and a storage capacity of 309 acre-feet. The dam is under state regulation by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and has a low hazard potential, with a moderate risk assessment rating.
Even though the Quasqueton Dam has not been inspected since May 1999 and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment, it continues to serve as a recreational hotspot in the area. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type and is situated in a picturesque location in the city of Quasqueton. Despite its age, the dam remains a popular destination for water resource and climate enthusiasts, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and other outdoor activities along the river.
As a local government-owned structure, the Quasqueton Dam plays a vital role in managing water resources and providing recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. With its rich history and scenic surroundings, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of sustainable water management practices and the preservation of natural landscapes 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 Quasqueton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wapsipinicon River At Independence | 1,950 cfs | → |
| Maquoketa River At Manchester | 525 cfs | → |
| Wolf Creek Near Dysart | 369 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Cedar Rapids | 6,580 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Waterloo | 4,330 cfs | → |
| Volga River At Littleport | 476 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Quasqueton Dam.
Boat launches
- 325th Street Buchanan County
- Us 20 Independence
- Coggon Road Linn County
- Wapsi Access Boulevard Buchanan County
- Dix Road Linn County
- I 380;Ia 27 Buchanan County
Campgrounds
- Veterans Memorial County Park
- Boies Bend County Area
- Troy Mills Wapsi Access Dispersed
- Buffalo Creek Area
- Three Elms County Park
- Independence City Rv Park
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
Track Quasqueton 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 Quasqueton Dam
Where does the data for Quasqueton 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 Quasqueton Dam.