Des Moines-waterworks Dam is a gravity dam located in Polk County, Iowa, built in 1923. It carries a Low hazard potential classification.
Dam profile
NID height · 7 ft7 ft tall and 220 ft long. Height is drawn to scale against a two-story house, about 25 ft; the profile is a generic concrete gravity section and the water level is illustrative.
About Des Moines-waterworks Dam
The primary purpose of Des Moines-waterworks 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 Des Moines Water Works (public utility). It impounds the Raccoon River near Des Moines.
The dam stands 7 feet tall and stretches 220 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 90 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 667 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 3,629 square miles. Completed in 1923, the structure is over a century old.
This dam has a low hazard potential classification, meaning that failure would cause minimal damage, limited primarily to the dam owner's property, with no expected loss of life. The most recent inspection on record was 11/16/1988. That was over 37 years ago.
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Location
| State | Iowa |
| County | Polk |
| Nearest City | Des Moines |
| River/Stream | Raccoon River |
| Coordinates | 41.57890, -93.64230 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 7 ft |
| Dam Height | 7 ft |
| Dam Length | 220 ft |
| Year Completed | 1923 (103 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 667 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 667 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 327 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 90 acres |
| Drainage Area | 3,629 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Water Supply |
| Owner | Des Moines Water Works |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | Low |
| Condition Assessment | Not assessed |
| Last Inspection | 11/16/1988 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IA01817 |
| Federal ID | IA01817 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |