Iola

About Iola

The primary purpose of Iola is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Village Of Iola (local government). It impounds the South Branch Little Wolf near Iola.

The dam stands 12 feet tall and stretches 694 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 206 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 1,000 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 100 square miles. Completed in 1865, the structure is one of the older dams in the region, with over a century and a half 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 fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 09/16/2021.

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