Lylah Marsh Dam

LITTLE WAPSIPINICON RIVER· Howard, Iowa· Built 1960· Earth· 11 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Lylah Marsh Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 11 ft (taller than 2.5% in IA)
Dam Length932 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage358 acre-ft
Normal Storage158 acre-ft
Surface Area53 acres
Drainage Area21 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDIA00496

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
Last Inspection: December 30, 1965
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Howard County Conservation Board

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Lylah Marsh Dam?

Lylah Marsh 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 Lylah Marsh Dam?

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

When was Lylah Marsh Dam built?

Lylah Marsh Dam was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Lylah Marsh Dam?

Lylah Marsh Dam 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 Lylah Marsh Dam?

Lylah Marsh Dam has a dam height of 11 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 Lylah Marsh Dam last inspected?

Lylah Marsh Dam was last inspected on December 30, 1965. 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.