Sawgrass Park Dam dam
Sawgrass Park Dam
Sawgrass Park Dam, located in Ankeny, Iowa, is a local government-owned structure primarily used for recreation purposes. Completed in 1980, this earth dam stands at 27 feet tall and spans 220 feet in length, providing a storage capacity of 40 acre-feet. With a low hazard potential and satisfactory condition assessment as of July 2019, Sawgrass Park Dam serves as a vital component in flood risk reduction efforts within the area.
The dam's design includes a stone core and soil foundation, with an uncontrolled spillway type. Despite its modest size, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources, with a drainage area of 0.5 square miles and a normal storage capacity of 23 acre-feet. While the risk assessment indicates a moderate level of risk, the dam's operations are overseen by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, ensuring that necessary inspections and enforcement measures are in place to maintain its integrity and safety.
As a focal point for outdoor recreation in the region, Sawgrass Park Dam offers not only flood protection but also a picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy. Its strategic location, combined with its functional design and satisfactory condition, underscores the importance of this infrastructure in promoting both water resource management and climate resilience in the community.
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 Sawgrass Park Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines River Near Saylorville | 4,250 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny | 154 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek Near Grimes | 643 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue | 5,350 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Des Moines | 217 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Fleur Drive | 3,040 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Sawgrass Park Dam.
Boat launches
- Neal Smith Trail Polk County
- Johnston
- Saylorville Boat Ramp
- Lakeview Main Boat Ramp
- Northwest 94th Avenue Polk County
Track Sawgrass Park 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 Sawgrass Park Dam
Where does the data for Sawgrass Park 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 Sawgrass Park Dam.