Marshall Dam dam
Marshall Dam
Marshall Dam, located in Montgomery County, Iowa, is a privately owned earth dam that was completed in 1989 for multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, and small fish pond. With a height of 33 feet and a length of 230 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 45 acre-feet and a surface area of 2.6 acres. Situated on the TR-Nodaway River, the dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement.
Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, Marshall Dam is considered to have a moderate risk level due to its condition being "Not Rated". The dam features an uncontrolled spillway type and has not been modified since its construction. While the dam does not have outlet gates or associated structures, it serves as a crucial resource for fire protection and aquatic life support in the area. With its strategic location and design by the USDA NRCS, Marshall Dam stands as a vital water resource for the community of Villisca and beyond.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will appreciate the ecological significance of Marshall Dam, as it provides essential water storage and habitat for local wildlife. The dam's moderate risk level underscores the importance of ongoing maintenance and monitoring to ensure its continued safety and functionality. With its low hazard potential and regulated status, Marshall Dam serves as a model for responsible dam construction and management in Iowa, showcasing the vital role that infrastructure plays in supporting both human and environmental needs in a changing climate.
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 Marshall Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak | 438 cfs | → |
| Nodaway River At Clarinda | 1,080 cfs | → |
| East Nishnabotna River Near Atlantic | 226 cfs | → |
| East Fork 102 River At Bedford | 0 cfs | → |
| West Nishnabotna River At Randolph | 866 cfs | → |
| West Nishnabotna River At Hancock | 318 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Marshall Dam.
Track Marshall 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 Marshall Dam
Where does the data for Marshall 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 Marshall Dam.