Lee Dam

TR-BIG SIOUX RIVER· Lyon, Iowa· Built 1969· Earth· 30 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Lee Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1969 and is 57 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 48.2% in IA)
Dam Length246 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage42 acre-ft
Normal Storage23 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)
NID IDIA00607

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

Paul Lee

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lee Dam?

Lee 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 Lee Dam?

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

When was Lee Dam built?

Lee Dam was completed in 1969, making it 57 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 Lee Dam?

Lee 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 Lee Dam?

Lee Dam has a dam height of 30 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.