Pence Dam dam
Pence Dam
Pence Dam, located in Jones County, Iowa, is a privately owned structure designed by the USDA NRCS with a primary purpose of fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. Completed in 1971, this earth dam stands at a height of 17 feet and has a length of 400 feet, with a storage capacity of 60 acre-feet. Situated on TR- Bear Creek, Pence Dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is designated as a low hazard potential structure with a moderate risk assessment rating.
Despite its size, Pence Dam plays a crucial role in providing water resources for the surrounding area, with a normal storage capacity of 30 acre-feet and a drainage area of 0.18 square miles. The dam's uncontrolled spillway type and soil foundation contribute to its overall structural integrity. While the condition assessment is currently not rated, Pence Dam undergoes regular inspections and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement to ensure its safety and functionality. As an essential component of the local water management system, Pence Dam serves as a vital resource for both fire protection and agricultural purposes in the region.
With its strategic location in Baldwin, Iowa, Pence Dam serves as a vital infrastructure for water resource management and climate resilience. Owned and maintained by a private entity, this earth dam has been a key feature in the local landscape since its completion in 1971. As water resource and climate enthusiasts continue to monitor and assess the impact of infrastructure like Pence Dam, its role in mitigating risks and providing essential water storage for the community remains paramount in ensuring sustainable water management practices for the future.
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 Pence Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton | 426 cfs | → |
| Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa | 1,370 cfs | → |
| Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa | 1,010 cfs | → |
| Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt | 1,730 cfs | → |
| Hoover Crk At Hoover Nat.Hist.Site West Branch | 2 cfs | → |
| Duck Creek At 110th Ave At Davenport | 10 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Pence Dam.
Boat launches
- 60th Avenue 17158, Jackson County
- North 5th Street 500, Maquoketa
- 235th Street 1486, Clinton County
- Ansel Briggs Highway Jackson County
- 160th Avenue Clinton County
- Lower Park Road Jones County
Track Pence 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 Pence Dam
Where does the data for Pence 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 Pence Dam.