Rath Dam

TR-EAST BOYER RIVER· Crawford, Iowa· Built 1977· Earth· 36 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Rath Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1977 and is 49 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 36 ft (taller than 74.2% in IA)
Dam Length440 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage105 acre-ft
Normal Storage48 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1977 (49 years old)
NID IDIA01606

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

Berth Rath Estate

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rath Dam?

Rath 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 Rath Dam?

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

When was Rath Dam built?

Rath Dam was completed in 1977, making it 49 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 Rath Dam?

Rath 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 Rath Dam?

Rath 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.