Yellowbanks Dam

TR- DES MOINES RIVER· Polk, Iowa· Built 1986· Earth· 41 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation Local Government

Key Takeaway

Yellowbanks Dam is classified as low hazard in Iowa. It was completed in 1986 and is 40 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 41 ft (taller than 86.2% in IA)
Dam Length500 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage99 acre-ft
Normal Storage53 acre-ft
Surface Area6 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Max Discharge0 cfs
Year Completed1986 (40 years old)
NID IDIA02327

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: December 10, 2015
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: IOWA DNR

Ownership

Polk County Conservation Board

Local Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of Yellowbanks Dam?

Yellowbanks 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 Yellowbanks Dam?

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

When was Yellowbanks Dam built?

Yellowbanks Dam was completed in 1986, making it 40 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 Yellowbanks Dam?

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

How tall is Yellowbanks Dam?

Yellowbanks Dam has a dam height of 41 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 Yellowbanks Dam last inspected?

Yellowbanks Dam was last inspected on December 10, 2015. 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.