Copper Creek Estates Dam dam
Copper Creek Estates Dam
Copper Creek Estates Dam, located in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, was completed in 2002 to primarily serve as a flood risk reduction structure along Tr-Little Four Mile Creek. Designed by Perry Gjersvik of Gjersvik and Associates, this earth dam stands at a height of 21 feet and has a length of 292 feet, providing a storage capacity of 24 acre-feet. The dam is privately owned and regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, with regular inspections ensuring its satisfactory condition.
With a hazard potential rated as significant and a moderate risk assessment, Copper Creek Estates Dam plays a crucial role in mitigating potential flooding in the surrounding area. The dam's spillway, with a width of 3 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for the safe release of water during periods of high flow. The structure's satisfactory condition and compliance with state regulations highlight its importance in protecting the community and maintaining water resource management in Polk County.
As a key component of the local water infrastructure, Copper Creek Estates Dam serves as a vital tool in managing water resources and reducing flood risks in the region. Its strategic location, design, and regular maintenance ensure that it continues to operate effectively, providing a sense of security for residents and stakeholders in the area. With its significant storage capacity and successful track record in flood risk reduction, the dam stands as a testament to the importance of proactive water resource management in addressing climate-related challenges.
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 Copper Creek Estates Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fourmile Creek At Des Moines | 217 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines | 9,310 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue | 5,350 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Fleur Drive | 3,040 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny | 154 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Saylorville | 4,250 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Copper Creek Estates Dam.
Boat launches
- Southeast Vandalia Drive Pleasant Hill
- Polk County
- Birdland Park Boat Launch
- Prospect Road Des Moines
- Kruidenier Trail Des Moines
Track Copper Creek Estates 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 Copper Creek Estates Dam
Where does the data for Copper Creek Estates 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 Significant 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 Copper Creek Estates Dam.