Geode Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Des Moines County, Iowa, built in 1949. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 59 ft59 ft tall and 1,060 ft long, taller than 95% 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 Geode Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Geode Lake 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 Tr-skunk River near Augusta.
The dam stands 59 feet tall and stretches 1,060 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 195 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 6,200 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 15 square miles. Completed in 1949, 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 07/18/2023.
At 59 feet, this dam is taller than 95% of all dams in the United States.
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Location
| State | Iowa |
| County | Des Moines |
| Nearest City | Augusta |
| River/Stream | Tr-skunk River |
| Coordinates | 40.81050, -91.38540 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 59 ft |
| Dam Height | 59 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,060 ft |
| Year Completed | 1949 (77 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 6,200 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 6,200 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 4,700 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 195 acres |
| Drainage Area | 15 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 | 07/18/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IA01347 |
| Federal ID | IA01347 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |