Lake Darling Dam

Lake Darling Dam is an earth dam located in Washington County, Iowa, built in 1950. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Lake Darling Dam

The primary purpose of Lake Darling 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 Honey Creek near Coppock.

The dam stands 47 feet tall and stretches 1,230 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 304 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 9,823 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 19 square miles. Completed in 1950, 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 06/03/2020.

At 47 feet, this dam is taller than 92% of dams nationwide.

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Significant HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Not Required

Location

StateIowa
CountyWashington
Nearest CityCoppock
River/StreamHoney Creek
Coordinates41.20320, -91.90620

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height47 ft
Dam Height47 ft
Dam Length1,230 ft
Year Completed1950 (76 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage9,823 acre-ft
Max Storage9,823 acre-ft
Normal Storage3,154 acre-ft
Surface Area304 acres
Drainage Area19 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeRecreation
OwnerIowa Department of Natural Resources
Owner TypeState
Hazard ClassificationSignificant
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection06/03/2020
Emergency Action PlanNot Required

Identifiers

NID IDIA01381
Federal IDIA01381
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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