Merrill Dorland Dam

TR - West Lake· Clarke, Iowa· Built 2014· Earth· 31 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Merrill Dorland Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 2014 and is 12 years old. Its primary use is grade stabilization.

Physical Details

Dam Height 31 ft (taller than 53.8% in IA)
Dam Length332 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage31 acre-ft
Normal Storage13 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge9 cfs
Year Completed2014 (12 years old)
NID IDIA04213

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
State Regulated: Yes

Ownership

Merrill Dorland

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Merrill Dorland Dam?

Merrill Dorland 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 Merrill Dorland Dam?

Merrill Dorland Dam is owned by Merrill Dorland (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Merrill Dorland Dam built?

Merrill Dorland Dam was completed in 2014, making it 12 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 Merrill Dorland Dam?

Merrill Dorland Dam serves the following purposes: Grade Stabilization, Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Merrill Dorland Dam?

Merrill Dorland Dam has a dam height of 31 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.

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.