Lake Ellis Dam is an earth dam located in Lucas County, Iowa, built in 1993. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 38 ft38 ft tall and 900 ft long, taller than 84% 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 Lake Ellis Dam
The primary purpose of Lake Ellis 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 Chariton Municipal Utilities (local government). It impounds the Tr-little Whitebreast Creek near Red Rock Reservoir.
The dam stands 38 feet tall and stretches 900 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 80 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,463 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 2 square miles. Completed in 1993, the structure is 33 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 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 06/29/2021.
At 38 feet, this dam is taller than 84% of dams nationwide.
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Location
| State | Iowa |
| County | Lucas |
| Nearest City | Red Rock Reservoir |
| River/Stream | Tr-little Whitebreast Creek |
| Coordinates | 41.01260, -93.25970 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Height | 38 ft |
| Dam Length | 900 ft |
| Year Completed | 1993 (33 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 1,463 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 1,463 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 803 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 80 acres |
| Drainage Area | 2 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Chariton Municipal Utilities |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 06/29/2021 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IA01358 |
| Federal ID | IA01358 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |