Gray Dam

TR-IOWA RIVER· Tama, Iowa· Built 1946· Earth· 25 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Gray Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1946 and is 80 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 19.3% in IA)
Dam Length500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage80 acre-ft
Normal Storage50 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1946 (80 years old)
NID IDIA02082

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: August 2, 1979
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

John A Gray

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Gray Dam?

Gray 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 Gray Dam?

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

When was Gray Dam built?

Gray Dam was completed in 1946, making it 80 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 Gray Dam?

Gray 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 Gray Dam?

Gray Dam has a dam height of 25 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 Gray Dam last inspected?

Gray Dam was last inspected on August 2, 1979. 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.