Finch Dam dam
Finch Dam
Located in Marion, Iowa, Finch Dam is a privately owned structure with a primary purpose of fire protection and serving as a stock or small fish pond. Built in 1989, this earth dam stands at a height of 26 feet and spans 240 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 33 acre-feet. Situated on TR-Sugar Creek near Red Rock Reservoir, Finch Dam is regulated and inspected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to ensure its safety and compliance with state standards.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Finch Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region. Though its spillway is uncontrolled and it lacks certain features like outlet gates, the dam serves as a key asset for fire protection and water storage in the area. While the dam's condition is currently not rated, regular inspections and maintenance activities ensure its continued functionality and safety for both the environment and surrounding communities.
As a significant structure within the Kansas City District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Finch Dam contributes to the overall water management efforts in the region. With its strategic location and purpose, this earth dam not only provides essential water storage for fire protection and livestock but also supports the local ecosystem by creating a small fish pond. As water resource and climate enthusiasts, understanding the role and importance of dams like Finch Dam is essential for sustainable water management practices and environmental stewardship.
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 Finch Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 6,970 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 9,780 cfs | → |
| English Creek Near Knoxville | 2,160 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Pella | 7,230 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 1,450 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River At Colfax | 1,460 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Finch Dam.
Track Finch 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 Finch Dam
Where does the data for Finch 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 Finch Dam.