Lake Red Rock, Iowa

Rock Island District
Published Oct. 1, 2021
Lake Red Rock Dam

Lake Red Rock Dam

Location

Lake Red Rock, Iowa

Description

Lake Red Rock is a multi-purpose project providing primary benefits in flood control and secondary benefits in low-flow augmentation, recreation and environmental stewardship. The dam is located on the Des Moines River approximately 35 miles southeast of Des Moines, Iowa. Storage volume at full flood pool is 1,436,400 acre-feet. The lake's normal (conservation) pool level is 15,250 acres which makes it Iowa's largest lake. The Project's watershed totals 12,320 square miles. The project includes: Lake Red Rock Dam with spillway that includes five Tainter gates, fourteen sluice gates, and stilling basin; Southeast Des Moines and Southwest Pleasant Hill Remedial Works and pump station; Carlisle Remedial Works; Avon Remedial Works and pump station; and Roberts Creek Sub-Impoundment.

The dam recently became the host structure for the Red Rock Hydropower Project, a private venture to convert the flood control structure to a hydropower producer. It is financed by the Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, and will be operated by Missouri River Energy Services.

Background

Cumulative nominal damages prevented since the project's inception (1969) = $1,472,049,930(2020 $). Over 50,000 acres of directly managed lands and waters are included in the project. 29 Recreation Areas with 641 campsites. FY20 recreation fee receipt revenues were $514,000.  Regional FY20 economic impact is $18,600,000 from an estimated 820,108 visitors.

Status

Project is in operation.

Additional Information

Authority

Flood Control Act of 1938; Public Law 75-761

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

$5,081,000

FY2022 Allocation

TBD

FY2022 President’s Budget

$27,728,000

FY2022 Total Capability

$34,240,000

 

Major Work Item Prior Fiscal Year

FY 2021: Funds were used for operation and maintenance of control structures and related infrastructure; dam safety programs and activities; operation and maintenance of recreation areas & 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.  Funds were used for the following non-routine items:  Contract administration to replace North Overlook Campground Shower House, contract for main dam electrical repairs underway.  

Major Work Item Current Fiscal Year

FY 2022:   Funds will be used for operation and maintenance of control structures and related infrastructure; dam safety programs and activities; operation and maintenance of recreation areas & related infrastructure. These funds support management of the recreation program and providing a quality level of service to the public visiting recreation areas. Funds would also be used for environmental stewardship activities to protect the health, sustainability and integrity of the public lands associated with the project.  Funds will be used for the following non-routine repairs: SE Des Moines pump station, main dam tainter gates rehab and sluice gates rehab, shoreline erosion protection at T’lam cemetery and Whitebreast recreation area, sedimentation re-survey, dam foundation investigation, water infrastructure modernization in Howell Station and North Overlook and periodic inspection/OCA. Funds in FY21 received from Federal Highway will be used to repair the main dam bridge deck roadway.

Additional funding could also be used for the following non-routine items:  P&S and construction of a new sustainable administrative building, road repairs in multiple recreation areas, campsite modernization in multiple campgrounds, roof and flooring replacement in multiple buildings, electrical modernization in recreation areas, ADA playground replacements, replace Howell Station and Ivans Campground shower buildings, environmental stewardship activities and additional priority infrastructure projects.