Horseshoe Cove Dam
Horseshoe Cove Dam is an earth dam located in Guthrie County, Iowa, built in 1975. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
About Horseshoe Cove Dam
The primary purpose of Horseshoe Cove Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Lake Panorama Association (private). It impounds the Tr-middle Raccoon River near Lake Panorama.
The dam stands 32 feet tall and stretches 457 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 8 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 192 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1975, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 06/13/2023.
At 32 feet, this dam is taller than 76% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Iowa |
| County | Guthrie |
| Nearest City | Lake Panorama |
| River/Stream | Tr-middle Raccoon River |
| Coordinates | 41.70510, -94.40900 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Height | 32 ft |
| Dam Length | 457 ft |
| Year Completed | 1975 (51 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 192 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 192 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 65 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 8 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Lake Panorama Association |
| Owner Type | Private |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 06/13/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IA01560 |
| Federal ID | IA01560 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |