Stump Lake

Long Creek· Des Moines, Iowa· Built 1941· Earth· 29 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Federal Government

Key Takeaway

Stump Lake is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1941 and is 85 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 29 ft (taller than 42.8% in IA)
Dam Length1,025 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage650 acre-ft
Surface Area11 acres
Drainage Area3 sq mi
Year Completed1941 (85 years old)
Year Modified2002
NID IDIA04147

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: Yes
Last Inspection: October 11, 2016
State Regulated: No

Ownership

Iowa Army Ammunition Plant

Federal Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Stump Lake?

Stump Lake 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 Stump Lake?

Stump Lake is owned by Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Stump Lake built?

Stump Lake was completed in 1941, making it 85 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 Stump Lake?

Stump Lake serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Stump Lake?

Stump Lake has a dam height of 29 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 Stump Lake last inspected?

Stump Lake was last inspected on October 11, 2016. 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.