Ottumwa
Ottumwa is a gravity dam located in Wapello County, Iowa, built in 1960. It carries a Low hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
About Ottumwa
The primary purpose of Ottumwa is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Ottumwa, City Of (local government). It impounds the Des Moines River near Ottumwa.
The dam stands 16 feet tall and stretches 781 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 500 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 5,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 13,430 square miles. Completed in 1960, the structure is well into its service life at over 50 years old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected 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 06/02/2022.
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Location
| State | Iowa |
| County | Wapello |
| Nearest City | Ottumwa |
| River/Stream | Des Moines River |
| Coordinates | 41.01597, -92.41571 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Height | 16 ft |
| Dam Length | 781 ft |
| Year Completed | 1960 (66 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 5,000 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 5,000 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 5,000 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 500 acres |
| Drainage Area | 13,430 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 135,000 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Controlled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Ottumwa, City of |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 06/02/2022 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IA01316 |
| Federal ID | IA01316 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |