Wells Dam

TR-CHARITON RIVER· Lucas, Iowa· Built 1960· Earth· 25 ft tall
Low Hazard Fire Protection Stock Or Small Fish Pond Private

Key Takeaway

Wells Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1960 and is 66 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 19.3% in IA)
Dam Length560 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage100 acre-ft
Normal Storage56 acre-ft
Surface Area8 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1960 (66 years old)
NID IDIA00601

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: September 24, 1963
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Jerry Wells

Private

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Chandler Dam

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Greenbelt Wetland Dam

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Hobbs Dam

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Mc Cormick Wetland Dam

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Crystal Lake Dam

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Shelton Dam

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Good Dam

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wells Dam?

Wells 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 Wells Dam?

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

When was Wells Dam built?

Wells Dam was completed in 1960, making it 66 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 Wells Dam?

Wells 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 Wells Dam?

Wells Dam has a dam height of 25 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 Wells Dam last inspected?

Wells Dam was last inspected on September 24, 1963. 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.