Slaughter Flood Control Dam dam
Slaughter Flood Control Dam
Slaughter Flood Control Dam, located in McGregor, Iowa, is a crucial structure designed by the USDA NRCS to mitigate flood risks along the TR-Mississippi River. Completed in 1938, this earth dam stands at 41 feet tall and spans 257 feet, with a storage capacity of 26 acre-feet. Managed by the local government and regulated by the Iowa DNR, the dam plays a key role in protecting the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Despite being classified as having a high hazard potential, the dam is currently assessed to be in fair condition, with the last inspection conducted in June 2019. Recognized as a vital component in flood risk reduction efforts, Slaughter Flood Control Dam serves as a critical line of defense for the residents of Clayton County, Iowa. With its uncontrolled spillway and rock-soil foundation, the dam continues to be monitored and maintained to ensure its effectiveness in safeguarding the community from the impacts of extreme weather events.
Enthusiasts of water resources and climate resilience will find Slaughter Flood Control Dam to be a fascinating example of engineering ingenuity and strategic infrastructure planning. As part of the St. Paul District's portfolio, this dam stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to balance the needs of flood control with environmental conservation in the region. With its historical significance and ongoing maintenance efforts, the dam represents a beacon of hope for communities facing the unpredictable challenges of a changing climate.
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 Slaughter Flood Control Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Mcgregor | 21,700 cfs | → |
| Bloody Run Creek Near Marquette | 32 cfs | → |
| Yellow River At Ion | 314 cfs | → |
| Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Turkey River At Garber | 1,970 cfs | → |
| Kickapoo River At Steuben | 736 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Slaughter Flood Control Dam.
Boat launches
- Mississippi River -- Campion Landing
- Mississippi River -- Villa Louis Boat Landing
- Mississippi River -- St. Feriole Slough
- Mississippi River -- Wyalusing State Park Boat Access
- Mississippi River -- Ambro Access (Dnr)
- Glen Lake/ Mississippi River -- Wyalusing Public Access
Campgrounds
- Bloody Run Park
- Bloody Run Campground
- Pikes Peak State Park
- Wyalusing State Park Campground
- Spook Cave Campground
- Yogi Bear Jelly Stone Campground
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Western Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument To Boundary Of Effigy Mounds National Monument
- The Big Green River To The River's Mouth At The Mississippi River
- The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek To Lane's Bridge
- The Town Of Bluffton To The "Lower" Dam, Near The Confluence Of Coon Creek
- Lone Rock To The Confluence Of The Green And Wisconsin Rivers
- The Minnesota-Iowa State Border To Ends Near The Town Of Bluffton, Iowa
Track Slaughter Flood Control 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 Slaughter Flood Control Dam
Where does the data for Slaughter Flood Control 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 High 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 Slaughter Flood Control Dam.