Rock Rapids Milldam

ROCK RIVER· Lyon, Iowa· Built 1931· Gravity· 7 ft tall
Low Hazard Water Supply Local Government

Key Takeaway

Rock Rapids Milldam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1931 and is 95 years old. Its primary use is water supply.

Physical Details

Dam Height 7 ft
Dam Length220 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage75 acre-ft
Normal Storage49 acre-ft
Surface Area10 acres
Drainage Area777 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1931 (95 years old)
NID IDIA01317

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 18, 1989
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

City of Rock Rapids

Local Government

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rock Rapids Milldam?

Rock Rapids 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 Rock Rapids Milldam?

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

When was Rock Rapids Milldam built?

Rock Rapids Milldam was completed in 1931, making it 95 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 Rock Rapids Milldam?

Rock Rapids Milldam serves the following purposes: Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Rock Rapids Milldam?

Rock Rapids Milldam has a dam height of 7 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 Rock Rapids Milldam last inspected?

Rock Rapids Milldam was last inspected on October 18, 1989. 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.