Lake Of Three Fires Dam

Lake Of Three Fires Dam is an earth dam located in Taylor County, Iowa, built in 1967. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Lake Of Three Fires Dam

The primary purpose of Lake Of Three Fires Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Iowa Department Of Natural Resources (state). It impounds the Tr-east 102 River near Bedford.

The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 980 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 125 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 6 square miles. Completed in 1967, the structure is well into its service life at over 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 08/03/2021.

At 32 feet, this dam is taller than 76% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateIowa
CountyTaylor
Nearest CityBedford
River/StreamTr-east 102 River
Coordinates40.70920, -94.68800

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height32 ft
Dam Height32 ft
Dam Length980 ft
Year Completed1967 (59 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage2,100 acre-ft
Max Storage2,100 acre-ft
Normal Storage1,231 acre-ft
Surface Area125 acres
Drainage Area6 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerIowa Department of Natural Resources
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection08/03/2021
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDIA01058
Federal IDIA01058
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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