Lapke Dam

TR- MILL CREEK· Shelby, Iowa· Built 2006· Earth· 23 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Lapke Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 2006 and is 20 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 13.3% in IA)
Dam Length440 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage77 acre-ft
Normal Storage21 acre-ft
Surface Area4 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed2006 (20 years old)
NID IDIA03806

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

Bernard Lapke

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lapke Dam?

Lapke 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 Lapke Dam?

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

When was Lapke Dam built?

Lapke Dam was completed in 2006, making it 20 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 Lapke Dam?

Lapke 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 Lapke Dam?

Lapke Dam has a dam height of 23 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.