Simonson Dam

TR-DRAINAGE DITCH 132· Palo Alto, Iowa· Built 1965· Earth· 24 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Simonson Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1965 and is 61 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 Storage61 acre-ft
Normal Storage23 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area1 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1965 (61 years old)
NID IDIA00850

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

Lloyd Simonson

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Simonson Dam?

Simonson 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 Simonson Dam?

Simonson Dam is owned by Lloyd Simonson (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Simonson Dam built?

Simonson Dam was completed in 1965, making it 61 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 Simonson Dam?

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

How tall is Simonson Dam?

Simonson Dam 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.