Briggs Woods Lake Dam

TR-BOONE RIVER· Hamilton, Iowa· Built 1968· Earth· 44 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Briggs Woods Lake Dam is classified as significant hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1968 and is 58 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 44 ft (taller than 90.4% in IA)
Dam Length3,100 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.3K acre-ft
Surface Area70 acres
Drainage Area11 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1968 (58 years old)
NID IDIA00437

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

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

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: July 14, 2020
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Hamilton County Conservation Board

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Briggs Woods Lake Dam?

Briggs Woods Lake Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Briggs Woods Lake Dam?

Briggs Woods Lake Dam is owned by Hamilton County Conservation Board (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Briggs Woods Lake Dam built?

Briggs Woods Lake Dam was completed in 1968, making it 58 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 Briggs Woods Lake Dam?

Briggs Woods Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Briggs Woods Lake Dam?

Briggs Woods Lake Dam has a dam height of 44 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 Briggs Woods Lake Dam last inspected?

Briggs Woods Lake Dam was last inspected on July 14, 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.