Nilan Dam

TR-WEST NISHNABOTA RIVER· Pottawattamie, Iowa· Built 1962· Earth· 30 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Nilan Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1962 and is 64 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 30 ft (taller than 48.2% in IA)
Dam Length498 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage45 acre-ft
Normal Storage19 acre-ft
Surface Area2 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1962 (64 years old)
NID IDIA00945

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: October 29, 1963
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Wilbert Nilan

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Nilan Dam?

Nilan 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 Nilan Dam?

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

When was Nilan Dam built?

Nilan Dam was completed in 1962, making it 64 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 Nilan Dam?

Nilan Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Nilan Dam?

Nilan Dam has a dam height of 30 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 Nilan Dam last inspected?

Nilan Dam was last inspected on October 29, 1963. 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.