Nodaway Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Adair County, Iowa, built in 1936. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 35 ft35 ft tall and 650 ft long, taller than 80% 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 Nodaway Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Nodaway Lake Dam is water supply. The dam stores water for municipal, industrial, or agricultural use, helping ensure a reliable supply for the surrounding area. The dam is owned by Greenfield Municipal Utilities (local government). It impounds the Tr-middle Nodaway River near Mt. Etna.
The dam stands 35 feet tall and stretches 650 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 27 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 550 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1936, 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. The most recent inspection on record was 05/24/2021.
At 35 feet, this dam is taller than 80% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Iowa |
| County | Adair |
| Nearest City | Mt. Etna |
| River/Stream | Tr-middle Nodaway River |
| Coordinates | 41.28980, -94.49800 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Height | 35 ft |
| Dam Length | 650 ft |
| Year Completed | 1936 (90 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 550 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 550 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 290 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 27 acres |
| Drainage Area | 0 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Greenfield Municipal Utilities |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 05/24/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IA01331 |
| Federal ID | IA01331 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |