Nashua Milldam

CEDAR RIVER· Chickasaw, Iowa· Built 1917· Gravity· 20 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Nashua Milldam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1917 and is 109 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 20 ft (taller than 7.5% in IA)
Dam Length1,170 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage5.2K acre-ft
Normal Storage3.2K acre-ft
Surface Area405 acres
Drainage Area1,113 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1917 (109 years old)
Year Modified1990
NID IDIA01314

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: Yes
Last Inspection: May 12, 2009
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

City of Nashua

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Nashua Milldam?

Nashua Milldam 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 Nashua Milldam?

Nashua Milldam is owned by City of Nashua (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Nashua Milldam built?

Nashua Milldam was completed in 1917, making it 109 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 Nashua Milldam?

Nashua Milldam 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 Nashua Milldam?

Nashua Milldam has a dam height of 20 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 Nashua Milldam last inspected?

Nashua Milldam was last inspected on May 12, 2009. 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.