Prehm Dam dam
Prehm Dam
Prehm Dam, located in Iowa's Henry County near Lake Geode, is a privately-owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS and regulated by the Iowa DNR. Completed in 1986, this earth dam stands at a height of 33 feet and spans 210 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 40 acre-feet. The dam serves multiple purposes, including fire protection and creating a small fish pond, making it a valuable resource for the local community.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Prehm Dam plays a crucial role in water management for the area. While not currently rated for its condition, the dam's construction and design by the Natural Resources Conservation Service highlight its importance in ensuring water security and safety. Its location on the TR- Cedar Creek stream and ownership by a private entity underscore the collaborative efforts needed to sustain and protect this vital water resource in Iowa.
As a key feature in the region's water infrastructure, Prehm Dam provides essential services for both fire protection and recreational use. Its controlled spillway and earth construction contribute to its functionality and overall resilience. With ongoing regulatory oversight and maintenance, Prehm Dam continues to play a significant role in water resource management and climate resilience efforts in the area.
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 Prehm Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Skunk River At Augusta | 2,010 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant | 7 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills | 49 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Wapello | 9,450 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At St. Francisville | 6,530 cfs | → |
| Henderson Creek Near Oquawka | 243 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Prehm Dam.
Boat launches
- High Street Burlington
- Des Moines County
- Schuyler Street Oquawka
- Diversion Channel Des Moines County
- Putney's Landing Access Road Henderson County
- 78th Street Louisa County
Track Prehm 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 Prehm Dam
Where does the data for Prehm 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 Prehm Dam.