West Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-44 dam
West Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-44
Located in Ringgold County, Iowa, the West Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-44 is a significant water resource managed by the local government with oversight from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Built in 1992 by the USDA NRCS, this earth dam stands at a height of 27 feet and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock watering, and small fish pond management. With a storage capacity of 159 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 7.3 acres, this dam plays a vital role in flood risk reduction for the surrounding area.
The dam's low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment highlight its importance in mitigating potential water-related disasters. While the condition of the dam is currently not rated, regular inspections and enforcement by the state regulatory agency ensure its continued effectiveness. Despite its uncontrolled spillway type, the dam's design and construction by the Natural Resources Conservation Service reflect a commitment to sustainable water management practices in the region. With a drainage area of 0.53 square miles and proximity to the TR- West Fork Big Creek, this site is a crucial component of the local water infrastructure.
Overall, the West Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-44 stands as a testament to collaborative efforts between local government agencies and conservation groups in safeguarding water resources in Iowa. As climate change continues to impact water availability and quality, the importance of such structures in managing flood risks and ensuring water supply for various purposes cannot be overstated. With its strategic location and multi-purpose functionality, this dam serves as a valuable asset in maintaining the resilience of the region's water ecosystem in the face of changing environmental conditions.
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 Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-44 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| East Fork 102 River At Bedford | 0 cfs | → |
| Thompson River At Davis City | 2,350 cfs | → |
| East Fork Big Creek Near Bethany | 411 cfs | → |
| One Hundred And Two River At Maryville | 1,750 cfs | → |
| Nodaway River At Clarinda | 1,080 cfs | → |
| Nodaway River Near Burlington Jct | 2,430 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-44.
Boat launches
Campgrounds
Track West Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-44 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 Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-44
Where does the data for West Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-44 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 West Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-44.