Harris Dam dam
Harris Dam
Harris Dam, located in Louisa, Iowa, is a private-owned structure designed by NRCS for fire protection, stock, or small fish pond purposes. Completed in 1996, this earth dam stands at a height of 32 feet and stretches 352 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 76 acre-feet. The dam is situated on TR- GOOSE CREEK and is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place.
With a low hazard potential and moderate risk assessment, Harris Dam serves as a vital resource for water management in the area. Its location in Columbus Junction, Iowa, provides essential water storage for fire protection and sustenance for livestock. The dam's condition is currently not rated, but it undergoes state inspections regularly to ensure its structural integrity and functionality. Despite its modest size, Harris Dam plays a crucial role in meeting the water needs of the local community and supporting the surrounding ecosystem.
As water resource and climate enthusiasts, the significance of Harris Dam lies in its contribution to water conservation and management efforts in Louisa County. With its controlled uncontrolled spillway and soil foundation, the dam serves as a reliable storage facility for emergency situations and livestock maintenance. The presence of the dam also reflects a collaborative effort between private owners and state regulatory agencies to uphold water safety standards and ensure sustainable water use practices in the region. Through regular inspections and risk assessments, Harris Dam continues to play a crucial role in safeguarding the community against water-related hazards and promoting responsible water resource management for future generations.
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 Harris Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa River Near Lone Tree | 3,230 cfs | → |
| Cedar River Near Conesville | 6,160 cfs | → |
| English River At Kalona | 228 cfs | → |
| Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City | 118 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Wapello | 10,200 cfs | → |
| Iowa River At Iowa City | 2,160 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Harris Dam.
Boat launches
- Vine Avenue Washington County
- Sand Road Southeast Johnson County
- Riverside Road Riverside
- 520th Street Southeast Johnson County
- 120th Street Louisa County
- F Avenue 9777, Louisa County
Campgrounds
- Marr Park
- Louisa County Fairgrounds
- River Junction Access
- Crooked Creek Christian Camp
- Hills Access
- Virginia Grove Rec Area
More reservoirs
Track Harris 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 Harris Dam
Where does the data for Harris 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 Harris Dam.