Sawgrass Park Dam

Polk, Iowa· Built 1980· Earth· 27 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Flood Risk Reduction Local Government

Key Takeaway

Sawgrass Park Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1980 and is 46 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 27 ft (taller than 30.7% in IA)
Dam Length220 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage40 acre-ft
Normal Storage23 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Year Completed1980 (46 years old)
Year Modified2005
NID IDIA04275

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: July 30, 2019
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

City of Ankeny

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Sawgrass Park Dam?

Sawgrass Park 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 Sawgrass Park Dam?

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

When was Sawgrass Park Dam built?

Sawgrass Park Dam was completed in 1980, making it 46 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 Sawgrass Park Dam?

Sawgrass Park Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Sawgrass Park Dam?

Sawgrass Park Dam has a dam height of 27 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 Sawgrass Park Dam last inspected?

Sawgrass Park Dam was last inspected on July 30, 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.