Cold Springs Dam

TR- EAST NISHNABOTNA RIVER· Cass, Iowa· Built 1949· Earth· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Cold Springs Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1949 and is 77 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 3.1% in IA)
Dam Length1,350 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage75 acre-ft
Normal Storage50 acre-ft
Surface Area16 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1949 (77 years old)
NID IDIA03165

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
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Cold Springs Dam?

Cold Springs 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 Cold Springs Dam?

Cold Springs Dam is owned by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Cold Springs Dam built?

Cold Springs Dam was completed in 1949, making it 77 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 Cold Springs Dam?

Cold Springs Dam 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 Cold Springs Dam?

Cold Springs Dam has a dam height of 12 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.

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.