Swaim Dam

Davis, Iowa· Built 2016· Earth· 36 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Swaim Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 2016 and is 10 years old. Its primary use is flood risk reduction.

Physical Details

Dam Height 36 ft (taller than 74.2% in IA)
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage55 acre-ft
Normal Storage30 acre-ft
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge37 cfs
Year Completed2016 (10 years old)
NID IDIA04268

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

Charles Swaim

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Swaim Dam?

Swaim 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 Swaim Dam?

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

When was Swaim Dam built?

Swaim Dam was completed in 2016, making it 10 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 Swaim Dam?

Swaim Dam serves the following purposes: Flood Risk Reduction, Grade Stabilization, Other. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Swaim Dam?

Swaim Dam has a dam height of 36 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.