Leckband Dam dam
Leckband Dam
Located in Osceola County, Iowa, the Leckband Dam stands as a testament to the important role it plays in the local water resource management. Built in 1983 by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), this earth dam spans 920 feet in length and reaches a height of 36 feet, with a storage capacity of 239 acre-feet. The primary purpose of the dam is to provide fire protection, serve as a stock pond, and support small fish populations.
Situated along the TR-OCHEYEDAN RIVER, the Leckband Dam is owned and regulated by a private entity in compliance with Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) guidelines. The dam is classified as low hazard potential and is currently rated as "Not Rated" in terms of condition assessment. Despite its moderate risk level, the dam serves as an essential component in the local water management system, with a surface area of 8.8 acres and a drainage area of 1.38 square miles.
With its uncontrolled spillway type and minimal risk potential, the Leckband Dam offers a valuable resource for climate and water enthusiasts to explore. Its strategic location and design make it a critical asset for maintaining water levels, supporting local wildlife, and ensuring fire protection in the surrounding area. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the Leckband Dam stands as a vital structure in safeguarding the region's water supply and ecosystem health.
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 Leckband Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ocheyedan River Near Spencer | 417 cfs | → |
| Rock River Below Tom Creek At Rock Rapids | 149 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Jackson | 522 cfs | → |
| Floyd River At Alton | 130 cfs | → |
| Little Sioux River At Linn Grove | 1,490 cfs | → |
| Rock River Near Rock Valley | 611 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Leckband Dam.
Boat launches
- Park Avenue Worthington
- West Okoboji
- Dam Road 798, Arnolds Park
- Linden Drive 184, Arnolds Park
- 140th Street 24728, Orleans
- 150th Street Spirit Lake
Track Leckband 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 Leckband Dam
Where does the data for Leckband 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 Leckband Dam.