Volga Lake Dam

Volga Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Fayette County, Iowa, built in 1980. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Volga Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Volga Lake 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-volga River near Wadena.

The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 1,710 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 135 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 3,808 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 9 square miles. Completed in 1980, the structure is 46 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 07/11/2023.

At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateIowa
CountyFayette
Nearest CityWadena
River/StreamTr-volga River
Coordinates42.89530, -91.77120

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height45 ft
Dam Height45 ft
Dam Length1,710 ft
Year Completed1980 (46 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage3,808 acre-ft
Max Storage3,808 acre-ft
Normal Storage1,670 acre-ft
Surface Area135 acres
Drainage Area9 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerIowa Department of Natural Resources
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection07/11/2023
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDIA02029
Federal IDIA02029
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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