Fontana Milldam

OTTER CREEK· Buchanan, Iowa· Built 1962· Gravity· 14 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Fontana Milldam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 14 ft (taller than 4.2% in IA)
Dam Length180 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage500 acre-ft
Normal Storage280 acre-ft
Surface Area59 acres
Drainage Area56 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)
NID IDIA00141

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: December 23, 1977
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Buchanan County Conservation Board

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fontana Milldam?

Fontana 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 Fontana Milldam?

Fontana Milldam is owned by Buchanan County Conservation Board (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Fontana Milldam built?

Fontana Milldam was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 Fontana Milldam?

Fontana 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 Fontana Milldam?

Fontana Milldam has a dam height of 14 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 Fontana Milldam last inspected?

Fontana Milldam was last inspected on December 23, 1977. 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.