Lake Sundown Dam

Lake Sundown Dam is an earth dam located in Appanoose County, Iowa, built in 1976. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Lake Sundown Dam

The primary purpose of Lake Sundown Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Coves Of Sundown Lake Owners Association (private). It impounds the South Soap Creek near Floris.

The dam stands 51 feet tall and stretches 1,530 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 440 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 12,640 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 21 square miles. Completed in 1976, the structure is 50 years old.

This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 08/02/2023.

At 51 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateIowa
CountyAppanoose
Nearest CityFloris
River/StreamSouth Soap Creek
Coordinates40.83210, -92.72120

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height51 ft
Dam Height51 ft
Dam Length1,530 ft
Year Completed1976 (50 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage12,640 acre-ft
Max Storage12,640 acre-ft
Normal Storage5,740 acre-ft
Surface Area440 acres
Drainage Area21 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerCoves of Sundown Lake Owners Association
Owner TypePrivate
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection08/02/2023
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDIA00098
Federal IDIA00098
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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