Mc Coy Dam dam
Mc Coy Dam
Mc Coy Dam, located in Chillicothe, Iowa, was completed in 1994 by the USDA NRCS and serves multiple purposes including fire protection and as a small fish pond. The dam, primarily owned by a private entity, is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is subjected to regular inspections and enforcement. The earth dam stands at a height of 28 feet with a length of 325 feet, providing a storage capacity of 23 acre-feet.
With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment, Mc Coy Dam has not been rated for its condition assessment. Despite its small surface area of 2 acres, the dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in the region, specifically for fire protection and agricultural uses. Situated on the TR- North Avery Creek, the dam contributes to the conservation efforts in the area and highlights the importance of sustainable water resource management in the face of changing climate patterns.
As an integral part of the water infrastructure in Monroe County, Iowa, Mc Coy Dam showcases the collaboration between private owners, federal agencies, and state regulators in ensuring the safety and functionality of the structure. With its low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, the dam serves as a vital resource for the local community and underscores the significance of maintaining and monitoring water resources in the region. Climate enthusiasts and water resource advocates can appreciate the role of Mc Coy Dam in supporting the ecosystem and ensuring water security for various purposes in the area.
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 Mc Coy Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 22,200 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Bussey | 489 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Tracy | 19,200 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River Near Oskaloosa | 4,480 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 1,090 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Mc Coy Dam.
Boat launches
- Jefferson Street Viaduct Ottumwa
- Mahaska County
- 200th Avenue Appanoose County
- Cliffland Road Wapello County
- Avian Court Appanoose County
- Hornet Place Appanoose County
Track Mc Coy 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 Mc Coy Dam
Where does the data for Mc Coy 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 Mc Coy Dam.