Location
Lake Red Rock
Knoxville, 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 into a hydropower producer. It is financed by the Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and is operated by Missouri River Energy Services.
Background
Cumulative nominal damages prevented since the project's inception (1969) = $1,734,575,000 (2023 $). Over 50,000 acres of directly managed lands and waters are included in the project with 29 Recreation Areas having 641 campsites. FY23 recreation fee receipt revenues were $491,008. Regional FY23 economic impact is $27,627,000 from an estimated 957,744 visitors.
Status
Project is in operation.
Additional Information
Authority
Flood Control Act of 1938; Public Law 75-761
Summarized Project Costs:
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Estimated Federal Cost
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N/A
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Estimated Non-Federal Cost
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N/A
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Estimated Total Project Cost
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N/A
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Allocations Prior to FY 2024
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N/A
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FY 2024 Allocation 1
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$7,437,000
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FY 2025 President’s Budget
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$5,856,000
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FY 2025 Total Capability
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$36,000,000
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1 FY 2024 Allocation includes $2M received in BIL Supplemental Funds.
Major Work Item Prior Fiscal Year
FY 2022 BIL funded Work:
- New admin building and visitor center- Design Build contract awarded September 2023- Construction Began in FY24
- Repair shoreline erosion- Work Completed in FY23
- Paving parking lot at north Overlook Beach- Work Completed in FY23
Major Work Item Current Fiscal Year
FY 2024: Funds were used for operation and maintenance of FRM 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 provide a quality level of service to the public visiting recreation areas. Funds were used for environmental stewardship activities to protect the health, sustainability and integrity of the public lands associated with the project. Non-routine items: Continued work on SE Des Moines Pump Station rehab, main dam tainter gates and sluice gates repair and rehab, trail repairs, and campsite improvements.
Major Work Item Next Fiscal Year
FY 2025: Funds will be used for operation and maintenance of FRM 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 provide a quality level of service to the public visiting recreation areas. Funds will also be used for environmental stewardship activities to protect the health, sustainability and integrity of the public lands associated with the project. Non-routine items: Complete SE Des Moines Pump Station, continue work on main dam tainter gates and two sluice gates; continue trail repairs, and infrastructure modernization in recreation areas.