Humboldt Milldam

WEST FORK DES MOINES RIVER· Humboldt, Iowa· Built 1912· Gravity· 13 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Humboldt Milldam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1912 and is 114 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 13 ft (taller than 3.8% in IA)
Dam Length460 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage3.1K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.1K acre-ft
Surface Area470 acres
Drainage Area2,256 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1912 (114 years old)
Year Modified1970
NID IDIA01295

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: January 20, 2004
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Humboldt County Conservation Board

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Humboldt Milldam?

Humboldt 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 Humboldt Milldam?

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

When was Humboldt Milldam built?

Humboldt Milldam was completed in 1912, making it 114 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 Humboldt Milldam?

Humboldt 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 Humboldt Milldam?

Humboldt Milldam has a dam height of 13 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 Humboldt Milldam last inspected?

Humboldt Milldam was last inspected on January 20, 2004. 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.