Little River Watershed Site 65

WEST LITTLE RIVER· Decatur, Iowa· Built 1987· Earth· 45 ft tall
Significant Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Little River Watershed Site 65 is classified as significant hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1987 and is 39 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 45 ft (taller than 91.4% in IA)
Dam Length1,470 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage6.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage959 acre-ft
Surface Area144 acres
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1987 (39 years old)
NID IDIA02349

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 65?

Little River Watershed Site 65 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 65?

Little River Watershed Site 65 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 65 built?

Little River Watershed Site 65 was completed in 1987, making it 39 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 65?

Little River Watershed Site 65 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, 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 65?

Little River Watershed Site 65 has a dam height of 45 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 65 last inspected?

Little River Watershed Site 65 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.