Little River Watershed Site 51-1

Britton Branch· Decatur, Iowa· Built 2005· Earth· 30 ft tall
Significant Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Little River Watershed Site 51-1 is classified as significant hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 2005 and is 21 years old. Its primary use is recreation. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 48.2% in IA)
Dam Length863 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage1.8K acre-ft
Normal Storage331 acre-ft
Surface Area61 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed2005 (21 years old)
NID IDIA03511

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: June 12, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Decatur County SWCD

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Little River Watershed Site 51-1?

Little River Watershed Site 51-1 is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Little River Watershed Site 51-1?

Little River Watershed Site 51-1 is owned by Decatur County SWCD (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Little River Watershed Site 51-1 built?

Little River Watershed Site 51-1 was completed in 2005, making it 21 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 Little River Watershed Site 51-1?

Little River Watershed Site 51-1 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 Little River Watershed Site 51-1?

Little River Watershed Site 51-1 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.

When was Little River Watershed Site 51-1 last inspected?

Little River Watershed Site 51-1 was last inspected on June 12, 2019. 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.