Little River Watershed Site M-1

LITTLE RIVER· Decatur, Iowa· Built 1984· Earth· 61 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Little River Watershed Site M-1 is classified as high hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1984 and is 42 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 61 ft (taller than 98.8% in IA)
Dam Length1,810 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage32.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage10.9K acre-ft
Surface Area787 acres
Drainage Area21 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1984 (42 years old)
NID IDIA02263

Safety Information

High Hazard

Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.

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

Emergency Action Plan: Yes
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 M-1?

Little River Watershed Site M-1 is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. 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 M-1?

Little River Watershed Site M-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 M-1 built?

Little River Watershed Site M-1 was completed in 1984, making it 42 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 M-1?

Little River Watershed Site M-1 serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Recreation, Water Supply. 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 M-1?

Little River Watershed Site M-1 has a dam height of 61 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 M-1 last inspected?

Little River Watershed Site M-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.