Sw Branch Dry Run Creek Stormwater Detention Dam is an earth dam located in Black Hawk County, Iowa, built in 2003. It carries a High hazard potential classification and has a satisfactory condition assessment.
Dam profile
NID height · 17 ft17 ft tall and 1,070 ft long. 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 Sw Branch Dry Run Creek Stormwater Detention Dam
The primary purpose of Sw Branch Dry Run Creek Stormwater Detention 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 Cedar Falls (local government). It impounds the Sw Branch Dry Run Creek near Cedar Falls.
The dam stands 17 feet tall and stretches 1,070 feet across, has a maximum storage capacity of 218 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 5 square miles. Completed in 2003, the structure is relatively new.
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 08/01/2023.
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.
Location
| State | Iowa |
| County | Black Hawk |
| Nearest City | Cedar Falls |
| River/Stream | Sw Branch Dry Run Creek |
| Coordinates | 42.50130, -92.47380 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,070 ft |
| Year Completed | 2003 (23 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 218 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 218 acre-ft |
| Drainage Area | 5 sq mi |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | City of Cedar Falls |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Satisfactory |
| Last Inspection | 08/01/2023 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | IA03547 |
| Federal ID | IA03547 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |