Fort Dodge Milldam

DES MOINES RIVER· Webster, Iowa· Built 1917· Gravity· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Fort Dodge Milldam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1917 and is 109 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 5.6% in IA)
Dam Length342 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage2.5K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.9K acre-ft
Surface Area210 acres
Drainage Area3,750 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1917 (109 years old)
NID IDIA01290

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: July 13, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

City of Fort Dodge

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Fort Dodge Milldam?

Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge Milldam?

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

When was Fort Dodge Milldam built?

Fort Dodge Milldam was completed in 1917, making it 109 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 Fort Dodge Milldam?

Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge Milldam?

Fort Dodge Milldam has a dam height of 18 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 Fort Dodge Milldam last inspected?

Fort Dodge Milldam was last inspected on July 13, 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.