Deer Ridge Dam

TR- THOMPSON RIVER· Union, Iowa· Built 1983· Earth· 34 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Deer Ridge Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1983 and is 43 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 34 ft (taller than 67.4% in IA)
Dam Length365 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage63 acre-ft
Normal Storage35 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1983 (43 years old)
NID IDIA02223

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

Union County Conservation Board

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Deer Ridge Dam?

Deer Ridge 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 Deer Ridge Dam?

Deer Ridge Dam is owned by Union County Conservation Board (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Deer Ridge Dam built?

Deer Ridge Dam was completed in 1983, making it 43 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 Deer Ridge Dam?

Deer Ridge 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 Deer Ridge Dam?

Deer Ridge Dam has a dam height of 34 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.