Garrels Dam

TR- BIG CREEK· Henry, Iowa· Built 2004· Earth· 18 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Garrels Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 2004 and is 22 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 5.6% in IA)
Dam Length390 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage55 acre-ft
Normal Storage12 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed2004 (22 years old)
NID IDIA03670

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

Ownership

Richard Garrels

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Garrels Dam?

Garrels 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 Garrels Dam?

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

When was Garrels Dam built?

Garrels Dam was completed in 2004, making it 22 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 Garrels Dam?

Garrels 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 Garrels Dam?

Garrels Dam 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.

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.