Big Hollow Dam
Big Hollow Dam is an earth dam located in Des Moines County, Iowa, built in 2008. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Big Hollow Dam
The primary purpose of Big Hollow Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Des Moines County Conservation Board (local government). It impounds the Big Hollow Creek near Burlington.
The dam stands 60 feet tall and stretches 795 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 178 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,942 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 2008, the structure is relatively new.
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. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/12/2020.
At 60 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | Iowa |
| County | Des Moines |
| Nearest City | Burlington |
| River/Stream | Big Hollow Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.94280, -91.23750 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 60 ft |
| Dam Height | 60 ft |
| Dam Length | 795 ft |
| Year Completed | 2008 (18 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,942 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,942 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,046 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 178 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Des Moines County Conservation Board |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/12/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IA03551 |
| Federal ID | IA03551 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |