Walker Dam dam
Walker Dam
Walker Dam, located in Des Moines, Iowa, is a private water resource structure designed by the USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. Completed in 1985, this earth dam stands at 38 feet tall and spans 145 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 20 acre-feet and a low hazard potential. The dam is state-regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, with inspections, permitting, and enforcement all handled at the state level.
Situated on the TR-Mississippi River, Walker Dam serves as a crucial water management tool for the community of Kingston, providing irrigation and recreational opportunities while also mitigating flood risks. Although the dam has not been rated for condition assessment, it is considered to have a moderate risk level. The structure features an uncontrolled spillway and soil foundation, reflecting its simple yet effective design for managing water flow in the area.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Walker Dam represents a noteworthy example of a privately-owned earth dam that plays a vital role in water conservation and management in Iowa. With its strategic location and purposeful design, the dam serves as a testament to the importance of sustainable water infrastructure for both agricultural and environmental purposes in the region.
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 Walker Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Henderson Creek Near Oquawka | 277 cfs | → |
| Pope Creek Near Keithsburg | 98 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Wapello | 14,600 cfs | → |
| Edwards River Near New Boston | 222 cfs | → |
| Skunk River At Augusta | 9,200 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant | 84 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Walker Dam.
Boat launches
- Des Moines County
- Diversion Channel Des Moines County
- Schuyler Street Oquawka
- Putney's Landing Access Road Henderson County
- 20th Street 1000, Louisa County
- 4th Street 201, Keithsburg
Campgrounds
- Delabar State Park
- Fourth Pumping Plant Rec Area
- Big River State Forest
- Big Hollow Creek Park
- Henderson County State Conservation
- Keithsburg Riverside Campground
More reservoirs
Track Walker 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 Walker Dam
Where does the data for Walker 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 Walker Dam.