Parkview Lake Dam

Parkview Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Polk County, Iowa, built in 1978. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.

About Parkview Lake Dam

The primary purpose of Parkview Lake Dam is flood risk reduction. The dam is designed to control downstream flooding by temporarily storing excess water during storms and releasing it at a controlled rate. The dam is owned by City Of Urbandale (local government). It impounds the Karen Acres Creek near Urbandale.

The dam stands 21 feet tall and stretches 870 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 3 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 95 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 0 square miles. Completed in 1978, the structure is 48 years old.

This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. Its condition is rated satisfactory, indicating no existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 06/08/2023.

Living Downstream

If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Iowa dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.

Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.

High HazardSatisfactory ConditionEmergency Action Plan: Yes

Location

StateIowa
CountyPolk
Nearest CityUrbandale
River/StreamKaren Acres Creek
Coordinates41.63730, -93.72690

Physical Characteristics

Dam TypeEarth
NID Height21 ft
Dam Height21 ft
Dam Length870 ft
Year Completed1978 (48 years old)

Storage & Hydraulics

NID Storage95 acre-ft
Max Storage95 acre-ft
Normal Storage15 acre-ft
Surface Area3 acres
Drainage Area0 sq mi
Spillway TypeUncontrolled

Ownership & Safety

PurposeFlood Risk Reduction
OwnerCity of Urbandale
Owner TypeLocal Government
Hazard ClassificationHigh
Condition AssessmentSatisfactory
Last Inspection06/08/2023
Emergency Action PlanYes

Identifiers

NID IDIA02030
Federal IDIA02030
More InfoState Dam Safety Program

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