Lake Sugema Dam
Lake Sugema Dam is an earth dam located in Van Buren County, Iowa, built in 1992. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Lake Sugema Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Sugema Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Van Buren County Board Of Supervisors (local government). It impounds the Indian Creek near Farmington.
The dam stands 50 feet tall and stretches 1,530 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 574 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 21,570 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 17 square miles. Completed in 1992, the structure is 34 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 07/03/2023.
At 50 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.
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.
Location
| State | Iowa |
| County | Van Buren |
| Nearest City | Farmington |
| River/Stream | Indian Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.68350, -91.98690 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Height | 50 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,530 ft |
| Year Completed | 1992 (34 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 21,570 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 21,570 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 7,350 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 574 acres |
| Drainage Area | 17 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Van Buren County Board of Supervisors |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/03/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IA02626 |
| Federal ID | IA02626 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |