Shimek Forest Dam 4

TR-DES MOINES RIVER· Lee, Iowa· Built 1978· Earth· 33 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Shimek Forest Dam 4 is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1978 and is 48 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 33 ft (taller than 63.3% in IA)
Dam Length340 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage128 acre-ft
Normal Storage57 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1978 (48 years old)
NID IDIA02028

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 4?

Shimek Forest Dam 4 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 4?

Shimek Forest Dam 4 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 4 built?

Shimek Forest Dam 4 was completed in 1978, making it 48 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 4?

Shimek Forest Dam 4 serves the following purposes: Recreation, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Water Supply. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Shimek Forest Dam 4?

Shimek Forest Dam 4 has a dam height of 33 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.