Iowa Falls Milldam

Iowa Falls Milldam is a gravity dam located in Hardin County, Iowa, built in 1925. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.

About Iowa Falls Milldam

The primary purpose of Iowa Falls Milldam is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Renewable World Energies (public utility). It impounds the Iowa River near Iowa Falls.

The dam stands 26 feet tall and stretches 225 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 365 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 4,751 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 679 square miles. Completed in 1925, the structure is over a century 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 09/27/2021.

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Significant HazardFair ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateIowa
CountyHardin
Nearest CityIowa Falls
River/StreamIowa River
Coordinates42.51860, -93.25910

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeGravity
NID Height26 ft
Dam Height26 ft
Dam Length225 ft
Year Completed1925 (101 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage4,751 acre-ft
Max Storage4,751 acre-ft
Normal Storage4,751 acre-ft
Surface Area365 acres
Drainage Area679 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeHydroelectric
OwnerRenewable World Energies
Owner TypePublic Utility
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentFair
Last Inspection09/27/2021
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDIA01304
Federal IDIA01304
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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