Vernon Spring Dam

Turkey River· Howard, Iowa· Built 1857· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Other Local Government

Key Takeaway

Vernon Spring Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1857 and is 169 years old. Its primary use is other.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 0.7% in IA)
Dam Length150 ft
Max Storage110 acre-ft
Normal Storage0 acre-ft
Surface Area0 acres
Drainage Area73 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1857 (169 years old)
NID IDIA04035

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

Howard County Conservation Board

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Vernon Spring Dam?

Vernon Spring 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 Vernon Spring Dam?

Vernon Spring Dam is owned by Howard County Conservation Board (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Vernon Spring Dam built?

Vernon Spring Dam was completed in 1857, making it 169 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 Vernon Spring Dam?

Vernon Spring Dam serves the following purposes: Other. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Vernon Spring Dam?

Vernon Spring Dam has a dam height of 8 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.