Mitchell/ Lyon Dam

TR-RACCOON RIVER· Guthrie, Iowa· Built 1974· Earth· 36 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Private

Key Takeaway

Mitchell/ Lyon Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1974 and is 52 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 36 ft (taller than 74.2% in IA)
Dam Length205 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage53 acre-ft
Normal Storage26 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1974 (52 years old)
NID IDIA01838

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
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Lee Mitchell & Lyon Bros

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Mitchell/ Lyon Dam?

Mitchell/ Lyon 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 Mitchell/ Lyon Dam?

Mitchell/ Lyon Dam is owned by Lee Mitchell & Lyon Bros (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Mitchell/ Lyon Dam built?

Mitchell/ Lyon Dam was completed in 1974, making it 52 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 Mitchell/ Lyon Dam?

Mitchell/ Lyon 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 Mitchell/ Lyon Dam?

Mitchell/ Lyon Dam has a dam height of 36 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.