Elkader Milldam

TURKEY RIVER· Clayton, Iowa· Built 1926· Gravity· 16 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Elkader Milldam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1926 and is 100 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 16 ft (taller than 4.7% in IA)
Dam Length206 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage2.9K acre-ft
Normal Storage2.1K acre-ft
Surface Area65 acres
Drainage Area891 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1926 (100 years old)
NID IDIA01287

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 11, 1989
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

City of Elkader

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Elkader Milldam?

Elkader 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 Elkader Milldam?

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

When was Elkader Milldam built?

Elkader Milldam was completed in 1926, making it 100 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 Elkader Milldam?

Elkader 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 Elkader Milldam?

Elkader Milldam has a dam height of 16 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 Elkader Milldam last inspected?

Elkader Milldam was last inspected on October 11, 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.