Fertile Mill Dam

WINNEBAGO RIVER· Worth, Iowa· Built 1929· Gravity· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Fertile Mill Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1929 and is 97 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 2.5% in IA)
Dam Length414 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage116 acre-ft
Normal Storage116 acre-ft
Surface Area260 acres
Drainage Area376 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1929 (97 years old)
NID IDIA01967

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

Worth County Conservation Board

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fertile Mill Dam?

Fertile Mill 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 Fertile Mill Dam?

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

When was Fertile Mill Dam built?

Fertile Mill Dam was completed in 1929, making it 97 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 Fertile Mill Dam?

Fertile Mill 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 Fertile Mill Dam?

Fertile Mill Dam has a dam height of 11 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.