Lake Wapello Dam is an earth dam located in Davis County, Iowa, built in 1934. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 57 ft57 ft tall and 1,500 ft long, taller than 94% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a ten-story building, about 100 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Lake Wapello Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Wapello 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 Pee Dee Creek near Floris.
The dam stands 57 feet tall and stretches 1,500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 287 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 7,610 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 7 square miles. Completed in 1934, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
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 08/29/2022.
At 57 feet, this dam is taller than 94% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Iowa |
| County | Davis |
| Nearest City | Floris |
| River/Stream | Pee Dee Creek |
| Coordinates | 40.82120, -92.57220 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 57 ft |
| Dam Height | 57 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,500 ft |
| Year Completed | 1934 (92 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 7,610 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 7,610 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 3,790 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 287 acres |
| Drainage Area | 7 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
| Owner Type | State |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/29/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IA00301 |
| Federal ID | IA00301 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |