Shelton Dam dam
Shelton Dam
Shelton Dam, located in Lucas, Iowa, was completed in 1978 and serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock maintenance, and as a small fish pond. This private dam, designed by USDA SCS, stands at a height of 33 feet with a length of 320 feet, holding a maximum storage capacity of 34 acre-feet. Situated on the TR-Wolf Hollow Creek, the dam is regulated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is subject to regular inspections and enforcement to ensure its safety and compliance.
Despite its low hazard potential, Shelton Dam poses a moderate risk level of 3 due to its uncontrolled spillway type and lack of emergency action plan. The dam's condition assessment is currently not rated, and there is no available information on its emergency preparedness measures. With a surface area of 2.4 acres and a drainage area of 0.18 square miles, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the region. Although there have been no reported incidents or modifications in recent years, ongoing risk management and monitoring are essential for the continued safety and sustainability of Shelton Dam.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the unique features and functions of Shelton Dam, which not only provides essential services for fire protection and wildlife but also contributes to the local ecosystem and water management efforts. As a privately owned structure with state regulation and oversight, the dam serves as a valuable asset in the community's water infrastructure. With its strategic location and design by USDA SCS, Shelton Dam stands as a testament to effective water resource management and the importance of maintaining dam safety standards in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Shelton Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Chariton River Near Chariton | 37 cfs | → |
| South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City | 84 cfs | → |
| White Breast Creek Near Dallas | 33 cfs | → |
| South River Near Ackworth | 60 cfs | → |
| English Creek Near Knoxville | 6 cfs | → |
| Chariton River Near Rathbun | 29 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Shelton Dam.
⚓ Boat launches
- Red Haw Nature Trail Lucas County
- Us 34 Clarke County
- Pershing Street Warren County
- County Road S70 Appanoose County
- 118th Avenue Warren County
⛺ Campgrounds
- Red Haw State Park Campground
- Black Oak Camp
- Longbeard Camp
- White Oak Camp
- Bottom Oak Camp
- Buck Stop Camp
🛡 More reservoirs
More reservoirs →Track Shelton 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 Shelton Dam
Where does the data for Shelton 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 Shelton Dam.