Murguia Dam dam
Murguia Dam
Murguia Dam, located in Des Moines, Iowa, along the Mississippi River, stands as a testament to engineering excellence with its primary purpose being recreation. Constructed in 1978 by KAHN ENGINEERING CONSULT, this private-owned earth dam stands at a height of 43 feet and spans a length of 520 feet. The dam boasts a storage capacity of 675 acre-feet, with a normal storage of 397 acre-feet, covering a surface area of 30 acres. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, the dam is deemed to have a significant hazard potential, although its condition assessment remains satisfactory as of the last inspection in July 2019.
With the Iowa Department of Natural Resources serving as the regulatory agency for Murguia Dam, the dam is subject to regular inspections and enforcement. Situated along the TR-YELLOW SPRING CREEK, the dam's drainage area covers 1.11 square miles, with a moderate risk classification. While the dam does not feature outlet gates or associated structures, its strategic location and design make it a vital component for recreational activities in the region. Furthermore, its satisfactory condition assessment and enforcement by the state regulatory agency ensure its continued safe operation for water resource and climate enthusiasts to enjoy.
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 Murguia Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Henderson Creek Near Oquawka | 277 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Wapello | 14,600 cfs | → |
| Pope Creek Near Keithsburg | 98 cfs | → |
| Skunk River At Augusta | 9,200 cfs | → |
| Edwards River Near New Boston | 222 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant | 84 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Murguia Dam.
Boat launches
- Des Moines County
- Schuyler Street Oquawka
- Diversion Channel Des Moines County
- High Street Burlington
- Putney's Landing Access Road Henderson County
- 20th Street 1000, Louisa County
Campgrounds
- Big Hollow Creek Park
- Delabar State Park
- Fourth Pumping Plant Rec Area
- Henderson County State Conservation
- Big River State Forest
- Keithsburg Riverside Campground
More reservoirs
Track Murguia 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 Murguia Dam
Where does the data for Murguia 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 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 Murguia Dam.