Low Head Dams

Low-head dams are extremely dangerous and have led to fatalities of Iowa anglers, boaters, paddlers, tubers, swimmers, and would-be rescuers. Powerful recirculating hydraulics at these small dams can trap and drown unsuspecting river users. Iowa DNR educates all river users about these hazards, provides support for dam-owners to install warning signs in vicinities of dams, and works with dam owners to mitigate safety hazards and fish passage barriers at dams.

• Intro: Introduction and Table of Contents
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: The 2010 River Dam Inventory
• Chapter 3: Dams and River Ecology
• Chapter 4: Mitigation Alternatives
• Chapter 5: Strategies, Plan of Action, Bibliography, Appendices

• Dam warning signage system design (and in some cases, installation)
  
• Community open house input
  
• Concept development in the early phases of project
  
• River channel survey
  
• Assistance with developing RFPs, finding funding
  
• River restoration design
  
• Project management assistance
  
• Permitting and regulatory compliance assistance
  
• Bid document assistance

Please fill out the application form. Our staff will review it and contact you soon.
Application for Technical Assistance
Application for Technical Assistance

A major revision to our water trails and dams sign manual was released in the Spring of 2010. The new manual addresses a number of issues and includes many updates.

The sign manual contains guideline for the standard statewide water trails way-finding and informational signage system.

• Familiarize yourself with the river before recreating on or near it. Obtain a map of the river and ask those people familiar with the river about any hazards on it.
• Boat with responsible, experienced boaters.
• Keep your eyes open for dam warning signs, markers or buoys. The retaining walls of a dam can be easier to spot and can be a good indicator that a dam is ahead.
• Portage around all dams and re-enter well downstream of the boil.
• Always wear a life jacket.

Information regarding both Dam Mitigation and Water Trail Enhancement grants can be found on our main Canoeing & Kayaking page.