Carter Dam

TR-MIDDLE ENGLISH RIVER· Iowa, Iowa· Built 1971· Earth· 28 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Carter Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1971 and is 55 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 28 ft (taller than 36.9% in IA)
Dam Length407 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage40 acre-ft
Normal Storage16 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1971 (55 years old)
NID IDIA00517

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: April 20, 1977
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Harley Carter

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Carter Dam?

Carter 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 Carter Dam?

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

When was Carter Dam built?

Carter Dam was completed in 1971, making it 55 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 Carter Dam?

Carter 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 Carter Dam?

Carter Dam has a dam height of 28 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 Carter Dam last inspected?

Carter Dam was last inspected on April 20, 1977. 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.