Saylorville Dam

Saylorville Dam Quick Facts

Location: Polk, Iowa
Coordinates: 41.703602, -93.681099
River: Des Moines River
Primary Purpose: Flood Risk Reduction
Type: Gravity Earth
Commissioned: 1975
Dam Height: 119 ft (36 m)
Dam Length: 6,658 ft (2,029 m)
Dam Capacity: 641,000 acre-ft (790,661 Ml)
Condition Assessment: Not Available
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Saylorville Dam Map

Saylorville Dam Information

Saylorville Dam is a gravity earth dam located in Des Moines, Polk, Iowa.

The dam, which is on the Des Moines River, was primarily built for Flood Risk Reduction purposes, but also serves for Recreation and Water Supply benefits.

The dam was designed by CEMVR and commissioned in 1975 and is currently owned by USACE – Rock Island District.

Saylorville Dam Structure

The Saylorville Dam is approximately 6,658 feet (2,029 m) long, 119 feet (36 m) high and has a structural volume of 8,400,000 cubic yards (6,422,262 cubic metres).

Saylorville Dam Storage Capacity & Surface Area

The reservoir has a normal storage capacity of 74,000 acre-ft (91,278 Ml) and maximum capacity of 641,000 acre-ft (790,661 Ml).

The surface area of the reservoir is 5,520 acres (2,234 ha) and the total catchment area is 5,823 square miles (15,082 square kilometres).

Saylorville Dam Spillway

The dam has a 430 feet (131 m) wide controlled spillway with a maximum discharge capacity of 213700 cubic feet per second (6051 cubic metres per second).

Saylorville Dam Compared to Five Famous American Dams

Height (ft)
Length (Ft)
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
Drainage Area (sq miles)
 
Saylorville Dam
Polk, Iowa
Height (ft)
119
Length (Ft)
6,658
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
641,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,823
Hoover Dam
Clark County, Nevada
Height (ft)
730
Length (Ft)
1,244
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
30,237,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
167,800
Grand Coulee Dam
Okanogan County, Washington
Height (ft)
550
Length (Ft)
5,673
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
9,562,0000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
74,100
Theodore Roosevelt Dam
Maricopa County, Arizona
Height (ft)
357
Length (Ft)
1,208
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,411,500
Drainage Area (sq miles)
5,736
Oroville Dam
Butte County, California
Height (ft)
235
Length (Ft)
6,920
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
3,540,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
3,611
Glen Canyon Dam
Coconino County, Arizona
Height (ft)
216
Length (Ft)
1,565
Storage Volume (acre-ft)
29,875,000
Drainage Area (sq miles)
108,355

Saylorville Dam Weather

Current Conditions at Saylorville Dam

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7-Day Forecast for Saylorville Dam

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Saylorville Dam Frequently Asked Questions

In which state is the Saylorville Dam?

Saylorville Dam is in Iowa.

In which county is the Saylorville Dam?

Saylorville Dam is in Polk County.

How high is the Saylorville Dam?

Saylorville Dam is 119 feet high.

How long is the Saylorville Dam?

Saylorville Dam is 6,658 feet long.

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Condition Assessment Classification

Satisfactory

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Fair

No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action. Note: Rare or extreme event is defined by the regulatory agency based on their minimum

Poor

A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Investigations and studies are necessary.

Unsatisfactory

A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

Not Rated

The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

Not Available

Dams for which the condition assessment is restricted to approved government users.

Hazard Potential Classification

High

Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.

Significant

Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environment damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.

Low

Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner’s property.

Undetermined

Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.

Not Available

Dams for which the downstream hazard potential is restricted to approved government users.

Source: National Inventory of Dams

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