Cole (South) Dam dam
Cole (South) Dam
Cole (South) Dam is a privately owned structure located in Van Buren County, Iowa, near the city of Mt. Sterling. Built in 1999 by the NRCS, this Earth-type dam serves as a Fish and Wildlife Pond along the TR- FOX River. With a height of 8 feet and a length of 6420 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 484 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 103 acres.
Despite its low hazard potential, Cole (South) Dam is regulated and inspected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, ensuring its safety and compliance with state regulations. The dam's purpose is primarily focused on providing habitat for fish and wildlife, contributing to the conservation efforts in the area. The risk assessment for the dam is moderate, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and risk management measures to maintain its integrity and functionality for the long term.
Overall, Cole (South) Dam stands as a vital resource for the local ecosystem, offering valuable support for wildlife conservation efforts in the region. Its construction and maintenance reflect a commitment to environmental stewardship and water resource management, making it a key component in sustaining the natural balance of the TR- FOX River watershed. Climate and water enthusiasts can appreciate the significance of this dam in promoting biodiversity and enhancing the overall health of the surrounding ecosystem.
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 Cole (South) Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River At Keosauqua | 7,540 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At St. Francisville | 7,120 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Wayland | 48 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills | 58 cfs | → |
| Fox River At Bloomfield | 7 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant | 7 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Cole (South) Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Jersey Avenue Van Buren County
- Van Buren County
- Lake Showme Drive Scotland County
- See Road Scotland County
Track Cole (South) 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 Cole (South) Dam
Where does the data for Cole (South) 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 Cole (South) Dam.