Shimek Forest Dam 1

TR-DES MOINES RIVER· Lee, Iowa· Built 1950· Earth· 24 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Shimek Forest Dam 1 is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1950 and is 76 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 24 ft (taller than 15.8% in IA)
Dam Length415 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage115 acre-ft
Normal Storage63 acre-ft
Surface Area7 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)
NID IDIA01354

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

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Shimek Forest Dam 1?

Shimek Forest Dam 1 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 Shimek Forest Dam 1?

Shimek Forest Dam 1 is owned by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Shimek Forest Dam 1 built?

Shimek Forest Dam 1 was completed in 1950, making it 76 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 Shimek Forest Dam 1?

Shimek Forest Dam 1 serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Shimek Forest Dam 1?

Shimek Forest Dam 1 has a dam height of 24 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.