Rockford Dam

SHELL ROCK RIVER· Floyd, Iowa· Built 1860· Gravity· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Rockford Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1860 and is 166 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 0.7% in IA)
Dam Length170 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage153 acre-ft
Normal Storage153 acre-ft
Surface Area40 acres
Drainage Area529 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1860 (166 years old)
Year Modified2014
NID IDIA01960

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: September 3, 2010
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Floyd County Conservation Board

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Rockford Dam?

Rockford 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 Rockford Dam?

Rockford Dam is owned by Floyd County Conservation Board (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Rockford Dam built?

Rockford Dam was completed in 1860, making it 166 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 Rockford Dam?

Rockford 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 Rockford Dam?

Rockford Dam has a dam height of 8 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 Rockford Dam last inspected?

Rockford Dam was last inspected on September 3, 2010. 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.