Isu Dam

TR-CHARITON RIVER· Lucas, Iowa· Built 1958· Earth· 24 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond State Government

Key Takeaway

Isu Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1958 and is 68 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 24 ft (taller than 15.8% in IA)
Dam Length426 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage104 acre-ft
Normal Storage50 acre-ft
Surface Area9 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1958 (68 years old)
NID IDIA00603

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: September 21, 1960
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Iowa State University

State Government

Nearby Dams

Lambert Dam

Lucas, IA

Low Hazard 21 ft

Lamberts Dam

Lucas, IA

Low Hazard 21 ft

Schultz Dam

Lucas, IA

Low Hazard 24 ft

Herring Dam

Lucas, IA

Low Hazard 28 ft

Iowa Noname29

Lucas, IA

Low Hazard 45 ft

Shelton Dam

Lucas, IA

Low Hazard 33 ft

Ruepke Dam

Lucas, IA

Low Hazard 13 ft

Logsdon Dam

Lucas, IA

Low Hazard 19 ft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Isu Dam?

Isu 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 Isu Dam?

Isu Dam is owned by Iowa State University (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Isu Dam built?

Isu Dam was completed in 1958, making it 68 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 Isu Dam?

Isu 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 Isu Dam?

Isu Dam has a dam height of 24 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 Isu Dam last inspected?

Isu Dam was last inspected on September 21, 1960. 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.