Bowden Dam

TR- DES MOINES RIVER· Webster, Iowa· Built 1997· Earth· 37 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Bowden Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1997 and is 29 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 37 ft (taller than 77.4% in IA)
Dam Length162 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage44 acre-ft
Normal Storage26 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1997 (29 years old)
NID IDIA03103

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: October 23, 1997
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Dean Bowden

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Bowden Dam?

Bowden Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Bowden Dam?

Bowden Dam is owned by Dean Bowden (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Bowden Dam built?

Bowden Dam was completed in 1997, making it 29 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 Bowden Dam?

Bowden Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Bowden Dam?

Bowden Dam has a dam height of 37 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 Bowden Dam last inspected?

Bowden Dam was last inspected on October 23, 1997. 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.