Briggs Woods Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Hamilton County, Iowa, built in 1968. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 44 ft44 ft tall and 3,100 ft long, taller than 89% of U.S. dams with a recorded height. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic embankment section and the water level is illustrative.
About Briggs Woods Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Briggs Woods Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Hamilton County Conservation Board (local government). It impounds the Tr-boone River near Des Moines River.
The dam stands 44 feet tall and stretches 3,100 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 70 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,100 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 10 square miles. Completed in 1968, 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 satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. The most recent inspection on record was 07/14/2020.
At 44 feet, this dam is taller than 89% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Iowa |
| County | Hamilton |
| Nearest City | Des Moines River |
| River/Stream | Tr-boone River |
| Coordinates | 42.43960, -93.79270 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Height | 44 ft |
| Dam Length | 3,100 ft |
| Year Completed | 1968 (58 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,100 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,100 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 1,310 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 70 acres |
| Drainage Area | 10 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Hamilton County Conservation Board |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 07/14/2020 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IA00437 |
| Federal ID | IA00437 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |