Waverly Milldam

CEDAR RIVER· Bremer, Iowa· Built 1872· Gravity· 12 ft tall
Low Hazard Hydroelectric Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Waverly Milldam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1872 and is 154 years old. Its primary use is hydroelectric.

Physical Details

Dam Height 12 ft (taller than 3.1% in IA)
Dam Length384 ft
Dam TypeGravity
Max Storage1.3K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.0K acre-ft
Surface Area175 acres
Drainage Area1,549 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1872 (154 years old)
Year Modified2010
NID IDIA01322

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
Last Inspection: July 20, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

City of Waverly

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Waverly Milldam?

Waverly Milldam 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 Waverly Milldam?

Waverly Milldam is owned by City of Waverly (Local Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Waverly Milldam built?

Waverly Milldam was completed in 1872, making it 154 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 Waverly Milldam?

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

How tall is Waverly Milldam?

Waverly Milldam has a dam height of 12 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 Waverly Milldam last inspected?

Waverly Milldam was last inspected on July 20, 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.