Ory Dam dam
Ory Dam
Located in Dallas, Iowa, Ory Dam is a private earth dam designed by USDA NRCS and completed in 1998 for fire protection, stock, and small fish pond purposes. Situated on the TR- South Raccoon River, this dam stands at a height of 30 feet with a length of 307 feet, offering a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet and covering a surface area of 3.5 acres. The dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is inspected, permitted, and enforced by state agencies to ensure its safety and compliance with regulations.
Despite its low hazard potential, Ory Dam poses a moderate risk due to its condition being unrated. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway and is primarily constructed with earth and stone materials on a soil foundation. The surrounding area, including the city of Van Meter, benefits from the dam's water storage capacity and fire protection capabilities. As a vital infrastructure for the community, Ory Dam serves as a key component in managing water resources and mitigating the impact of climate-related events in the region.
With its strategic location and purposeful design, Ory Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and climate resilience efforts in Iowa. As water enthusiasts and climate advocates recognize the importance of sustainable infrastructure, Ory Dam serves as a prime example of how private entities, state agencies, and federal designers can collaborate to create environmentally responsible solutions for water management and disaster preparedness. Its presence on the South Raccoon River not only safeguards the local community but also highlights the significance of proactive measures in safeguarding water resources 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 Ory Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 2,970 cfs | → |
| South Raccoon River At Redfield | 692 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines | 3,100 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek At Des Moines | 101 cfs | → |
| Middle Raccoon River At Panora | 243 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ory Dam.
Boat launches
- 120th Street Madison County
- 360th Street Dallas County
- Country Club Boulevard Clive
- Walnut Woods Drive West Des Moines
- Raccoon River Park Trail West Des Moines
- Northwest 70th Avenue Johnston
Campgrounds
- Acorn Valley Campground
- Cherry Glen Campground
- Springbrook State Park Campground
- Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
- Iowa 4-H Center
- Onondaga
More reservoirs
Track Ory 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 Ory Dam
Where does the data for Ory 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 Ory Dam.