Humeston Reservoir Dam is an earth dam located in Wayne County, Iowa, built in 1916. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a poor condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 31 ft31 ft tall and 670 ft long, taller than 72% 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 Humeston Reservoir Dam
The primary purpose of Humeston Reservoir 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 City of Humeston (local government). It impounds the Tr-chariton River near Chariton.
The dam stands 31 feet tall and stretches 670 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 37 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 900 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 1 square miles. Completed in 1916, 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 poor, meaning the dam has recognized safety deficiencies that require remediation to address risks. The most recent inspection on record was 08/08/2023.
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Location
| State | Iowa |
| County | Wayne |
| Nearest City | Chariton |
| River/Stream | Tr-chariton River |
| Coordinates | 40.88280, -93.50680 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Height | 31 ft |
| Dam Length | 670 ft |
| Year Completed | 1916 (110 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 900 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 900 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 340 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 37 acres |
| Drainage Area | 1 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | City of Humeston |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Poor |
| Last Inspection | 08/08/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IA01383 |
| Federal ID | IA01383 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |