Pilot Knob Lake Dam

TR-WINNEBAGO RIVER· Hancock, Iowa· Built 1972· Earth· 18 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Pilot Knob Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1972 and is 54 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 18 ft (taller than 5.6% in IA)
Dam Length210 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage111 acre-ft
Normal Storage56 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1972 (54 years old)
NID IDIA00439

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: June 4, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Pilot Knob Lake Dam?

Pilot Knob Lake 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 Pilot Knob Lake Dam?

Pilot Knob Lake Dam is owned by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Pilot Knob Lake Dam built?

Pilot Knob Lake Dam was completed in 1972, making it 54 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 Pilot Knob Lake Dam?

Pilot Knob Lake 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 Pilot Knob Lake Dam?

Pilot Knob Lake Dam has a dam height of 18 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 Pilot Knob Lake Dam last inspected?

Pilot Knob Lake Dam was last inspected on June 4, 2019. 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.