Saylorville Dam
Key Takeaway
Saylorville Dam is classified as high hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1975 and is 51 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 119 ft (taller than 100% in IA) |
| Dam Length | 6,658 ft |
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| Max Storage | 641.0K acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 74.0K acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 5,520 acres |
| Drainage Area | 5,823 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 213,700 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1975 (51 years old) |
| NID ID | IA00017 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
USACE - Rock Island District
Federal Government
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What is the hazard classification of Saylorville Dam?
Saylorville Dam is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Saylorville Dam?
Saylorville Dam is owned by USACE - Rock Island District (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Saylorville Dam built?
Saylorville Dam was completed in 1975, making it 51 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 Saylorville Dam?
Saylorville Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Recreation, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Saylorville Dam?
Saylorville Dam has a dam height of 119 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 Saylorville Dam last inspected?
Saylorville Dam was last inspected on December 6, 2022. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.