Wickard Dam

TR-SKUNK RIVER· Polk, Iowa· Built 1964· Earth· 25 ft tall

Key Takeaway

Wickard Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1964 and is 62 years old. Its primary use is fire protection.

Physical Details

Dam Height 25 ft (taller than 19.3% in IA)
Dam Length604 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage44 acre-ft
Normal Storage23 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1964 (62 years old)
NID IDIA00916

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

M Dwight Wickard

Private

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Wickard Dam?

Wickard 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 Wickard Dam?

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

When was Wickard Dam built?

Wickard Dam was completed in 1964, making it 62 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 Wickard Dam?

Wickard Dam serves the following purposes: Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is Wickard Dam?

Wickard 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.

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.