Richard Hanrahan Dam dam
Richard Hanrahan Dam
Located in Carlisle, Iowa, the Richard Hanrahan Dam is a recently completed earth dam designed by the USDA NRCS for grade stabilization along a tributary to Badger Creek. Completed in 2018, this private-owned dam serves multiple purposes including grade stabilization, recreation, and water supply. With a height of 29 feet and a length of 280 feet, the dam has a storage capacity of 30 acre-feet and a surface area of 1.2 acres.
The dam's spillway type is uncontrolled with a width of 48 feet, capable of handling a maximum discharge of 456 cubic feet per second. Despite being classified as having a low hazard potential, the dam is subject to moderate risk and is not currently rated for condition assessment. While no emergency action plan has been prepared or updated for the dam, it meets regulatory guidelines and has been inspected for safety and operation by state authorities. As an integral part of the local water resource infrastructure, the Richard Hanrahan Dam plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality and availability in the region.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will find the Richard Hanrahan Dam a fascinating example of modern dam engineering for sustainable water management. From its design by the USDA NRCS to its multiple purposes of grade stabilization, recreation, and water supply, this earth dam showcases the importance of strategic infrastructure development in safeguarding natural resources. With its recent completion in 2018 and a storage capacity of 30 acre-feet, the dam contributes significantly to water conservation efforts in the area, serving as both a practical solution for environmental challenges and a recreational asset for 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 Richard Hanrahan Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs | → |
| North River Near Norwalk | 1,200 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 2,980 cfs | → |
| Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines | 2,970 cfs | → |
| Middle River Near Indianola | 1,120 cfs | → |
| Walnut Creek At Des Moines | 134 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Richard Hanrahan Dam.
Track Richard Hanrahan 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 Richard Hanrahan Dam
Where does the data for Richard Hanrahan 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 Richard Hanrahan Dam.