Bamboo Ridge Lake

Trib to Sink Creek· Black Hawk, Iowa· Built 2012· Earth· 20 ft tall
High Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Bamboo Ridge Lake is classified as high hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 2012 and is 14 years old. Its primary use is recreation. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 7.5% in IA)
Dam Length1,030 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage285 acre-ft
Normal Storage94 acre-ft
Surface Area15 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge3,450 cfs
Year Completed2012 (14 years old)
NID IDIA04139

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: July 28, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Lost Island Real Estate

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bamboo Ridge Lake?

Bamboo Ridge Lake is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bamboo Ridge Lake?

Bamboo Ridge Lake is owned by Lost Island Real Estate (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bamboo Ridge Lake built?

Bamboo Ridge Lake was completed in 2012, making it 14 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of Bamboo Ridge Lake?

Bamboo Ridge Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bamboo Ridge Lake?

Bamboo Ridge Lake has a dam height of 20 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was Bamboo Ridge Lake last inspected?

Bamboo Ridge Lake was last inspected on July 28, 2020. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.