Orient Lake Dam

TR-EAST NODAWAY RIVER· Adair, Iowa· Built 1969· Earth· 23 ft tall
Significant Hazard Water Supply Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Orient Lake Dam is classified as significant hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1969 and is 57 years old. Its primary use is water supply. Significant hazard means failure could cause economic or environmental damage. Learn more.

Physical Details

Dam Height 23 ft (taller than 13.3% in IA)
Dam Length867 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage398 acre-ft
Normal Storage135 acre-ft
Surface Area23 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1969 (57 years old)
NID IDIA00033

Safety Information

Significant Hazard

No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: June 27, 2017
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

City of Orient

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Orient Lake Dam?

Orient Lake Dam is classified as Significant Hazard. No probable loss of human life, but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, or disruption of lifeline facilities. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates Orient Lake Dam?

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

When was Orient Lake Dam built?

Orient Lake Dam was completed in 1969, making it 57 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 Orient Lake Dam?

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

How tall is Orient Lake Dam?

Orient Lake Dam has a dam height of 23 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 Orient Lake Dam last inspected?

Orient Lake Dam was last inspected on June 27, 2017. 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.