Shimek Forest Dam 3

TR-DES MOINES RIVER· Lee, Iowa· Built 1966· Earth· 25 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

Shimek Forest Dam 3 is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1966 and is 60 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 19.3% in IA)
Dam Length415 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage63 acre-ft
Normal Storage34 acre-ft
Surface Area5 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1966 (60 years old)
NID IDIA00577

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: June 7, 1995
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 3?

Shimek Forest Dam 3 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 3?

Shimek Forest Dam 3 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 3 built?

Shimek Forest Dam 3 was completed in 1966, making it 60 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 3?

Shimek Forest Dam 3 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 3?

Shimek Forest Dam 3 has a dam height of 25 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 Shimek Forest Dam 3 last inspected?

Shimek Forest Dam 3 was last inspected on June 7, 1995. 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.