Gates Park Control Structure dam
Gates Park Control Structure
Gates Park Control Structure, located in Black Hawk County, Iowa, along the Virden Creek, serves as a vital flood risk reduction infrastructure managed by the local government. Completed in 1979, this earth dam stands at a height of 16 feet and stretches to a length of 970 feet, with a storage capacity of 195 acre-feet. Despite its significant hazard potential, the structure has been assessed as satisfactory and meets regulatory requirements for inspection, permitting, and enforcement by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The design and construction of Gates Park Control Structure were overseen by DAEN NCR, ensuring its effectiveness in mitigating flood risks in the region. The dam's primary purpose is flood risk reduction, with a spillway type classified as uncontrolled. Even though the structure has not been modified in recent years, regular inspections and a five-year inspection frequency help maintain its operational readiness and ensure its safety for the surrounding community. With a moderate risk assessment rating and no emergency action plan in place, the structure continues to play a crucial role in managing floodwaters and protecting the local area from potential inundation events.
As an essential component of the flood control infrastructure along the Virden Creek, Gates Park Control Structure exemplifies the collaborative efforts between local and state agencies to safeguard against water-related hazards. With its strategic location and satisfactory condition assessment, the dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management practices in Iowa. As climate change continues to impact water resources and extreme weather events, structures like Gates Park Control are essential for enhancing resilience and protecting communities from the increasing threat of floods.
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 Gates Park Control Structure -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar River At Waterloo | 4,330 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Cedar Falls | 4,070 cfs | → |
| Black Hawk Creek At Hudson | 304 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Janesville | 1,150 cfs | → |
| West Fork Cedar River At Finchford | 780 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At New Hartford | 320 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Gates Park Control Structure.
Boat launches
- Leo P Rooff Expressway Waterloo
- Mitchell Avenue Waterloo
- Cedar Valley Lakes Trail Waterloo
- Wyth Road 3224, Waterloo
- Big Lake Loop Cedar Falls
- Finchford Road Black Hawk County
Campgrounds
- George Wyth State Park
- Deerwood City Park
- Big Woods Lake
- Black Hawk County Park
- Siggelkov County Park
- Thunder Woman Park
Fishing spots
Track Gates Park Control Structure 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 Gates Park Control Structure
Where does the data for Gates Park Control Structure 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 Gates Park Control Structure.