Lake Keomah Silt Dam

TR-SKUNK RIVER· Mahaska, Iowa· Built 1938· Earth· 25 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Lake Keomah Silt Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1938 and is 88 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 19.3% in IA)
Dam Length455 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage100 acre-ft
Normal Storage21 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1938 (88 years old)
NID IDIA02057

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
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lake Keomah Silt Dam?

Lake Keomah Silt 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 Lake Keomah Silt Dam?

Lake Keomah Silt Dam is owned by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Lake Keomah Silt Dam built?

Lake Keomah Silt Dam was completed in 1938, making it 88 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 Lake Keomah Silt Dam?

Lake Keomah Silt Dam serves the following purposes: Other, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Lake Keomah Silt Dam?

Lake Keomah Silt 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.

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.