Garst Dam

TR-BRUSHY CREEK· Guthrie, Iowa· Built 1967· Earth· 32 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Garst Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1967 and is 59 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 32 ft (taller than 58.4% in IA)
Dam Length385 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage61 acre-ft
Normal Storage29 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1967 (59 years old)
NID IDIA00417

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 12, 1967
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Stephen Garst

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Garst Dam?

Garst 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 Garst Dam?

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

When was Garst Dam built?

Garst Dam was completed in 1967, making it 59 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 Garst Dam?

Garst 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 Garst Dam?

Garst Dam has a dam height of 32 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 Garst Dam last inspected?

Garst Dam was last inspected on December 12, 1967. 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.