Threlkeld Dam dam
Threlkeld Dam
Threlkeld Dam, located in the Skunk River floodplain in Washington, Iowa, is a private-owned structure designed by USDA NRCS. Completed in 2010, this earth-type dam stands at a height of 32 feet and spans 200 feet in length. With a storage capacity of 44 acre-feet and a surface area of 3.1 acres, the primary purpose of Threlkeld Dam is for fire protection, stock, or small fish pond use.
Managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Threlkeld Dam is regulated, permitted, inspected, and enforced by state agencies. Despite its low hazard potential and current "Not Rated" condition assessment, no emergency action plan (EAP) or risk assessment has been prepared for the dam. The structure boasts a spillway width of 10 feet and a maximum discharge capacity of 25 cubic feet per second, serving as a crucial water resource for the area.
While Threlkeld Dam serves its primary purposes effectively, there is a need for further evaluation and preparation in terms of emergency response planning and risk assessment. As an integral component of the Skunk River watershed, this dam plays a vital role in water management and conservation efforts in the region. Climate and water resource enthusiasts are encouraged to monitor developments regarding Threlkeld Dam's safety and regulatory compliance to ensure its continued functionality and environmental impact.
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 Threlkeld Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Skunk River Near Sigourney | 1,540 cfs | → |
| English River At Kalona | 646 cfs | → |
| Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant | 43 cfs | → |
| Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Near Lone Tree | 3,340 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At Ottumwa | 16,400 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Threlkeld Dam.
Boat launches
- Dogwood Avenue Washington County
- W15 / 330th Avenue Keokuk County
- County Road V5g Keokuk County
- Vine Avenue Washington County
- Riverside Road Riverside
- Sand Road Southeast Johnson County
Track Threlkeld 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 Threlkeld Dam
Where does the data for Threlkeld 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 Threlkeld Dam.