Littlefield Lake Dam

TR-TROUBLESOME CREEK· Audubon, Iowa· Built 1977· Earth· 45 ft tall
High Hazard Flood Risk Reduction Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Littlefield Lake Dam is classified as high hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 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 45 ft (taller than 91.4% in IA)
Dam Length1,205 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage561 acre-ft
Surface Area69 acres
Drainage Area4 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)
NID IDIA01691

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: May 31, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Audubon County Conservation Board

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Littlefield Lake Dam?

Littlefield Lake Dam 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 Littlefield Lake Dam?

Littlefield Lake Dam is owned by Audubon County Conservation Board (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Littlefield Lake Dam built?

Littlefield Lake Dam was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 Littlefield Lake Dam?

Littlefield Lake Dam 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 Littlefield Lake Dam?

Littlefield Lake Dam 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 Littlefield Lake Dam last inspected?

Littlefield Lake Dam was last inspected on May 31, 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.