West Lake Dam (Mahaska Co) dam
West Lake Dam (Mahaska Co)
West Lake Dam in Mahaska County, Iowa, stands as a testament to engineering excellence, with its construction completed in 1989 by McClure Engineering. Serving a primary purpose of recreation, this private dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and boasts a height of 32 feet and a length of 665 feet. The dam provides a storage capacity of 496 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 214 acre-feet and a surface area of 25.8 acres.
Situated on Tr-Muchakinock Creek, West Lake Dam is designated as a significant hazard potential structure, yet it maintains a satisfactory condition assessment as of June 2017. With its uncontrolled spillway type and moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is subject to inspections every five years to ensure its safety and functionality. The dam's location in Mahaska County, Iowa, near the city of Beacon, offers water resource and climate enthusiasts a unique opportunity to appreciate the intersection of human infrastructure and natural landscapes.
As enthusiasts explore the West Lake Dam site, they can marvel at the dam's earth construction and soil foundation, designed to enhance the recreational experience while ensuring the safety of surrounding communities. With its close proximity to Rock Island District and under the jurisdiction of the Iowa DNR, West Lake Dam is a vital part of the local water management system. By understanding the dam's design, purpose, and regulatory oversight, enthusiasts can gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate balance between human needs and environmental stewardship in maintaining water resources in Mahaska County.
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 West Lake Dam (Mahaska Co) -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Skunk River Near Oskaloosa | 4,480 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Tracy | 19,200 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Bussey | 489 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Pella | 19,200 cfs | → |
| English Creek Near Knoxville | 239 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 22,200 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Lake Dam (Mahaska Co).
Boat launches
- Mahaska County
- 198th Place Marion County
- Marion County
- Jefferson Street Viaduct Ottumwa
- Jade Street Jasper County
Track West Lake Dam (Mahaska Co) 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 West Lake Dam (Mahaska Co)
Where does the data for West Lake Dam (Mahaska Co) 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 Significant 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 West Lake Dam (Mahaska Co).