Saylorville Lake is located on the Des Monies River in central Iowa, just north of the city of Des Moines.

   In addition to providing flood control benefits, this 26,000-acre lake fulfills a truly multipurpose role. Other important benefits include public recreation, fish and wildlife management, conservation of natural resources (woodlands, wetlands, prairies) and a minimum downstream river flow for water supply and water quality during drought periods.

   For information and publications on Saylorville Lake activities, history, natural resources, and contract opportunities please stop by the visitor center located on the east end of the Saylorville Dam or call (515)-964-0672.

Join The Saylorville Team

   A variety of volunteer opportunities are available including camping ground host, visitor center host, bike trail safety patrol and photographer.

   You can also adopt areas to maintain such as a butterfly garden bed, bluebird box trail, nature trail or section of shoreline. To learn more about Saylorville's volunteer program call the administration office today.

   For additional information visit or write:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Saylorville Lake
5600 NW 78th Ave.
Johnston, IA 50131
(515)-276-4656

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Fast Facts

Construction
Began: 1965
Completed: Scheduled 1993

Cost
Federal: est. $130,100,000

Reservoir
Normal Pool
Length: 24 miles
Area: 5,950 acres
Storage: 90,000 acre-feet

Flood Control Pool
Length: 54 miles
Area: 16,700 acres
Storage: 586,000 acre-feet

Water Surface Elevation (mean sea level)
Normal Pool: 836 mean sea level
Flood Storage Pool: 890 mean sea level

Dam
Type: Earth Filled Embankment (7.6 mil. cubic yards fill)
Length: 6,750 feet
Height: 105 feet
Top Width: 44 feet
Spillway Elevation: 884.0 feet
Dam Elevation (top of dam): 915.5 feet

Recreation
Total Recreation Areas: 25
Beaches: 2
Camping Areas: 4
Marinas: 1

Visitation (in days)
1990: 725,483
1991: 801,364
2000: 609,791
2001: 566,790

Miles Above Des Moines, Iowa:
11 miles
Square Miles of Watershed Above Dam:
5,823 square miles

Average Normal Inflow (July):
2,420 cubic feet per second

Highest Inflow Recorded:
62,000 cubic feet per second
(July 9, 1993)

Maximum Capable Outflow (Conduit/Gates):
21,000 cubic feet per second

Average Normal Outflow (July):
2,420 cubic feet per second

Highest Outflow Recorded:
40,500 cubic feet per second (July 10, 1993)
Previous:
29,000 cubic feet per second (1984)

Highest Pool Elevation Recorded:
892.03 (7/13/93)
Previous:
889.25 (6/22/84)

Damages Prevented (1977 - 1995): $157 million (estimated)

Damages Prevented (1993):
$113 million (estimated)

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Maps

Saylorville Area

Saylorville Lake

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More Related Links

If you would like more information about Saylorville Lake, please visit their Internet site at Saylorville Lake. http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/saylorville/index.cfm

Fishing
For information about fishing opportunities at the lake, check out the state of Iowa's site http://www.state.ia.us/fish/fishing/lakes/say77s.htm

Wild Flowers
Learn about the wild flowers of Saylorville Lake at the Drake University's site
http://www.drake.edu/artsci/biology/Wacha/guide_to_wildflowers.html

Birds
Drake University also offers another site about the birds in the Saylorville Lake area.
http://www.voyageur.drake.edu/Bird%20Page/saylorville_birdlist.html

Reservations
If you are interested in making camping reservations, check out the National Recreation Reservation Service's site at http://www.reserveusa.com