Dunham Dam

TR- IOWA RIVER· Johnson, Iowa· Built 1978· Earth· 38 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Dunham Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1978 and is 48 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 38 ft (taller than 80.1% in IA)
Dam Length255 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage34 acre-ft
Normal Storage34 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1978 (48 years old)
NID IDIA02887

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

Robert Dunham

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Dunham Dam?

Dunham 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 Dunham Dam?

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

When was Dunham Dam built?

Dunham Dam was completed in 1978, making it 48 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 Dunham Dam?

Dunham 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 Dunham Dam?

Dunham Dam has a dam height of 38 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.