Wessel Sediment Basin

Trib to Elk Creek· Delaware, Iowa· Built 2005· Earth· 35 ft tall
Low Hazard Debris Control Private

Key Takeaway

Wessel Sediment Basin is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 2005 and is 21 years old. Its primary use is debris control.

Physical Details

Dam Height 35 ft (taller than 70.9% in IA)
Dam Length285 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage18 acre-ft
Normal Storage7 acre-ft
Surface Area1 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge140 cfs
Year Completed2005 (21 years old)
NID IDIA04049

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

Ownership

John Wessel

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wessel Sediment Basin?

Wessel Sediment Basin 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 Wessel Sediment Basin?

Wessel Sediment Basin is owned by John Wessel (Private). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was Wessel Sediment Basin built?

Wessel Sediment Basin was completed in 2005, making it 21 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 Wessel Sediment Basin?

Wessel Sediment Basin serves the following purposes: Debris Control. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Wessel Sediment Basin?

Wessel Sediment Basin has a dam height of 35 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.