Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1

Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1 is an earth dam located in Jefferson County, Iowa, built in 1888. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1

The primary purpose of Fairfield Water Works Dam No 1 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 City Of Fairfield (local government). It impounds the Tr-cedar Creek near Fairfield.

The dam stands 40 feet tall and stretches 500 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 24 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 350 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1888, the structure is over a century 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 07/03/2023.

At 40 feet, this dam is taller than 87% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateIowa
CountyJefferson
Nearest CityFairfield
River/StreamTr-cedar Creek
Coordinates41.01840, -91.95350

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height40 ft
Dam Height40 ft
Dam Length500 ft
Year Completed1888 (138 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage350 acre-ft
Max Storage350 acre-ft
Normal Storage292 acre-ft
Surface Area24 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeWater Supply
OwnerCity of Fairfield
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection07/03/2023
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDIA01349
Federal IDIA01349
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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