Otter Creek Lake Dam
Otter Creek Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Tama County, Iowa, built in 1968. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Otter Creek Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Otter Creek Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Tama County Conservation Board (local government). It impounds the Otter Creek near Chelsea.
The dam stands 45 feet tall and stretches 935 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 60 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,290 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 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 08/25/2022.
At 45 feet, this dam is taller than 91% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Iowa |
| County | Tama |
| Nearest City | Chelsea |
| River/Stream | Otter Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.04200, -92.51990 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Height | 45 ft |
| Dam Length | 935 ft |
| Year Completed | 1968 (58 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,290 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,290 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 680 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 60 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Tama County Conservation Board |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/25/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IA01032 |
| Federal ID | IA01032 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |