Glen Ellen Subwatershed Site 3-1

Glen Ellen Subwatershed Site 3-1 is an earth dam located in Woodbury County, Iowa, built in 1963. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Glen Ellen Subwatershed Site 3-1

The primary purpose of Glen Ellen Subwatershed Site 3-1 is fire protection, stock, or small fish pond. The dam maintains a small impoundment used for fire suppression, livestock watering, or as a fish pond. The dam is owned by Woodbury County Swcd (local government). It impounds the Tr-farmers Ditch near Bronson.

The dam stands 29 feet tall and stretches 615 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 122 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1963, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 10/10/2024.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Iowa dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateIowa
CountyWoodbury
Nearest CityBronson
River/StreamTr-farmers Ditch
Coordinates42.42140, -96.33350

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height29 ft
Dam Height29 ft
Dam Length615 ft
Year Completed1963 (63 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage122 acre-ft
Max Storage122 acre-ft
Normal Storage14 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond
OwnerWoodbury County SWCD
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection10/10/2024
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDIA01254
Federal IDIA01254
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

Nearby Dams