West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-182 dam
West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-182
Located in Decatur County, Iowa, the West Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-182 is a flood risk reduction structure designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 2003. This earth dam stands at a height of 22 feet and spans 456 feet in length, with a storage capacity of 55 acre-feet. The primary purpose of this structure is flood risk reduction, serving to protect the surrounding area from potential flooding events.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, this dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by the state agency, ensuring its functionality and safety. With a low hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, the West Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-182 plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks in the region. As a water resource and climate enthusiast, understanding the importance of infrastructure like this helps to appreciate the efforts put into managing and protecting our natural resources.
Situated in a strategic location within the watershed, this dam serves as a key component in the overall water management system of the area. With its uncontrolled spillway and soil foundation, the West Fork Big Creek Watershed Site B-182 is a testament to the collaboration between local government and federal agencies in safeguarding communities against the impacts of extreme weather events. As a site to study and appreciate the intersection of water resource management and climate resilience, this structure stands as a symbol of proactive measures taken to address the challenges posed by a changing climate.
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 West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-182 -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thompson River At Davis City | 11,000 cfs | → |
| East Fork Big Creek Near Bethany | 2,490 cfs | → |
| East Fork 102 River At Bedford | 2,700 cfs | → |
| Thompson River At Trenton | 32,300 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 2,690 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 2,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-182.
Track West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-182 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 West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-182
Where does the data for West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-182 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 West Fork Big Cr Wtrshd Site B-182.