Don Williams Lake Dam

BLUFF CREEK· Boone, Iowa· Built 1965· Earth· 58 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Don Williams Lake Dam is classified as significant hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 58 ft (taller than 98.1% in IA)
Dam Length600 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage4.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.8K acre-ft
Surface Area160 acres
Drainage Area33 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDIA00134

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 7, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Boone County Conservation Board

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Don Williams Lake Dam?

Don Williams 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 Don Williams Lake Dam?

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

When was Don Williams Lake Dam built?

Don Williams Lake Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Don Williams Lake Dam?

Don Williams Lake 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 Don Williams Lake Dam?

Don Williams Lake Dam has a dam height of 58 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 Don Williams Lake Dam last inspected?

Don Williams Lake Dam was last inspected on July 7, 2017. 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.