Von Maur Dam dam
Von Maur Dam
The Von Maur Dam, located in Maquoketa, Iowa, is a private-owned structure designed by Shive Hattery and completed in 2012. It serves multiple purposes, including fire protection and as a stock or small fish pond. With a dam height of 24 feet and a length of 250 feet, it has a storage capacity of 104 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 5.7 acres. The dam is primarily made of earth with a stone core and soil foundation, and it is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Situated on the TR-Maquoketa River, the Von Maur Dam has a low hazard potential and is not currently rated for condition assessment. It falls under state jurisdiction and is subject to state permitting, inspection, and enforcement. The dam is equipped with outlet gates and has a drainage area of 0.8 square miles. Although it does not have a spillway, it has a maximum storage capacity of 104 acre-feet and a normal storage level of 54 acre-feet. The Von Maur Dam plays a crucial role in water resource management in Jackson County, Iowa.
In the event of an emergency, the Von Maur Dam's Emergency Action Plan (EAP) status and risk assessment are not currently available. With its strategic location and purposeful design, the dam provides essential services to the community while maintaining a low risk profile. Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find the Von Maur Dam an intriguing structure that contributes to the local ecosystem and protection of nearby properties.
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 Von Maur Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton | 420 cfs | → |
| Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa | 1,340 cfs | → |
| Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa | 967 cfs | → |
| Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt | 1,710 cfs | → |
| Apple River Near Hanover | 121 cfs | → |
| Sinsinawa River Near Menominee | 22 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Von Maur Dam.
Boat launches
- 60th Avenue 17158, Jackson County
- North 5th Street 500, Maquoketa
- Ansel Briggs Highway Jackson County
- 235th Street 1486, Clinton County
- Grand River Staircase Bellevue
- Great River Road Jackson County
Track Von Maur 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 Von Maur Dam
Where does the data for Von Maur 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 Von Maur Dam.