Saylorville Lake, Iowa

Rock Island District
Published Oct. 1, 2021
A view of Saylorville Lake

A view of Saylorville Lake

Location

Saylorville Lake, Johnston, Iowa

Description

Saylorville Lake Project including the Big Creek Remedial Works is a multi-purpose project providing primary benefits in flood control and secondary benefits in low-flow augmentation, recreation, environmental stewardship and water supply. Storage volume at full flood pool is 626,465 acre feet. The main dam is located about 8 miles northwest of Des Moines, Iowa, on the Des Moines River and became operational in 1977.

Background

The project includes: Saylorville Dam with Control Tower, Pneumatic Crest Gate Spillway with discharge channel and the Big Creek Remedial Works which includes: Barrier Dam with Pump Station, Diversion Dam with Control Tower, Diversion Channel and Terminal Dam/Spillway. Cumulative damages prevented since project became operational is  $420,019,300 (2020 $). The project includes 25,515 acres of fee title lands and there are 30 recreation area sites. FY20 recreation fee receipt revenue was $671,000. Regional FY20 economic impact is $43,129,000 from an estimated 2,009,740 visitors.

Status

Project is in operation.

Additional Information

Authority

Flood Control Act of 1958

Summarized Project Costs

Estimated Federal Cost

$ N/A

Estimated Non-Federal Cost

$ N/A

Estimated Total Project Cost

$ N/A

Allocations Prior to FY2022

$ N/A

FY2021 Allocation

$6,854,000

FY2022 Allocation

TBD

FY2022 President’s Budget

$19,500,000

FY2022 Total Capability

$52,229,022

 

Major Work Item Prior Fiscal Year

FY 2021: Funds were used for operation and maintenance of five flood control structures and related infrastructure; dam safety programs and activities; water supply contract administration and compliance; operation and maintenance of recreation areas and related infrastructure. These funds support management of the recreation program and providing a quality level of service to the public visiting recreation areas. Funds were also used for environmental stewardship activities to protect the health, sustainability and integrity of the public lands associated with the project; and partnering with USFWS and other stakeholders for the Urban Wildlife Refuge downstream of the dam. Funds were also used to complete work on the following non-routine items:  Stilling basin repairs completed,  Supplemental Pump Station construction continues, main control tower sluice gates component P&S and contract solicitation, Boundary line survey, maintenance & signage to prevent encroachments; modernize recreation infrastructure.

Major Work Item Current Fiscal Year

FY 2022: Funds are being used for operation and maintenance of five flood control structures and related infrastructure; dam safety programs and activities; water supply contract administration and compliance; operation and maintenance of recreation areas and related infrastructure. These funds support management of the recreation program and providing a quality level of service to the public visiting recreation areas. Funds are also being used for environmental stewardship activities to protect the health, sustainability and integrity of the public lands associated with the project; and partnering with USFWS and other stakeholders for the Urban Wildlife Refuge downstream of the dam. Funds are also being used to complete work on the following non-routine items: Boundary line survey, maintenance & signage to prevent encroachments; modernize recreation infrastructure, main dam trash rack debris removal, shoreline erosion protection at main dam, water and sewer infrastructure modernization at multiple campgrounds.

Additional funding could also be used for Completing Plans and Constructing Energy Efficient Office and Maintenance Building, Shoreline Erosion Protection near FRM Structures, road repairs in multiple areas on the project, campsite modernization in multiple campgrounds, water and sewer modernization in multiple areas, roof replacement on multiple recreation buildings, barrier dam sluice gate seal replacement, main dam sluice gates replacements, Neal Smith Trail Fog Seal, Environmental Stewardship Activities and additional priority infrastructure projects.