Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam

DES MOINES RIVER· Polk, Iowa· Built 1920· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1920 and is 106 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft
Dam Length684 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage798 acre-ft
Normal Storage703 acre-ft
Surface Area200 acres
Drainage Area9,879 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1920 (106 years old)
NID IDIA01276

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 18, 1989
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

City of Des Moines

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam?

Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam 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 Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam?

Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam is owned by City of Des Moines (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam built?

Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam was completed in 1920, making it 106 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 Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam?

Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam 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 Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam?

Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam has a dam height of 7 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 Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam last inspected?

Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam was last inspected on October 18, 1989. 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.