Burns Dam dam
Burns Dam
Burns Dam, located in Warren County, Iowa, was completed in 1979 and is primarily used for fire protection, livestock watering, and as a small fish pond. The dam, designed by USDA NRCS, is an earth dam with a height of 29 feet and a length of 400 feet, providing a storage capacity of 85 acre-feet. It is state-regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and undergoes regular inspections to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
The dam has a low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of its condition assessment. Despite the moderate risk level associated with the dam, there are no emergency action plans in place, and the risk management measures are not specified. The dam is situated on the Des Moines River, in the TR-South River, within the jurisdiction of the state of Iowa. The surrounding area has a surface area of 6.8 acres and a drainage area of 0.26 square miles.
Overall, Burns Dam serves as a vital resource for water management and conservation in the region, providing essential services for agriculture, wildlife, and fire protection. Its location and design make it a key asset for the local community, with a focus on maintaining its integrity through regular inspections and adherence to state regulations. As an earth dam with a capacity to store 85 acre-feet of water, Burns Dam plays a crucial role in the sustainable management of water resources in Warren County, 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 Burns Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Middle River Near Indianola | 1,120 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 1,990 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines | 10,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Burns Dam.
Boat launches
- 118th Avenue Warren County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- County Park Des Moines
- Walnut Woods Drive West Des Moines
- Raccoon River Park Trail West Des Moines
- Kruidenier Trail Des Moines
Campgrounds
- Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
- Longbeard Camp
- Black Oak Camp
- White Oak Camp
- Bottom Oak Camp
- Buck Stop Camp
More reservoirs
Track Burns 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 Burns Dam
Where does the data for Burns 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 Burns Dam.