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Saylorville Lake
USACE Saylorville Lake and Dam.jpg
Saylorville Dam and Lake on the Des Moines River. View is to the northeast.
Location of Saylorville Lake in Iowa, USA.
Location of Saylorville Lake in Iowa, USA.
Saylorville Lake
Location in Iowa
Location of Saylorville Lake in Iowa, USA.
Location of Saylorville Lake in Iowa, USA.
Saylorville Lake
Location in the United States
Location Polk / Dallas / Boone counties, Iowa, United States
Coordinates 41°43′37″N 93°41′59″W / 41.72694°N 93.69972°W / 41.72694; -93.69972
Type reservoir
Primary inflows Des Moines River
Primary outflows Des Moines River
Catchment area 5,823 square miles (15,080 km2)
Basin countries United States
Max. length 24 miles (39 km) (normal)
max.: 54 miles (87 km) (full flood control pool)
Max. width 6,750 feet (2,060 m) (at dam)
Surface area 5,950 acres (24 km2) (normal)
max.: 16,700 acres (68 km2) (flood control pool)
Water volume 73,600 acre⋅ft (0.0908 km3)
max.: 641,000 acre⋅ft (0.791 km3)
Surface elevation 836 ft (255 m) msl

Saylorville Lake is a large reservoir (a human-made lake) located on the Des Moines River in Iowa, United States. It sits about 11 miles (18 km) north of the city of Des Moines. This lake was built to help control floods along the Des Moines River. It also helps manage water levels on the Mississippi River, which the Des Moines River flows into. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages and operates the lake and its dam.

What is Saylorville Lake?

Saylorville Lake is a very important part of Iowa's water system. It acts like a giant storage tank for water. When there's a lot of rain, the lake holds extra water. This stops the river from overflowing and causing floods in nearby towns. When the weather is dry, the lake can release water. This helps keep the river flowing at a good level.

Lake Size and Water Levels

Normally, Saylorville Lake is about 17 miles (27 km) long. It covers an area of about 5,950 acres (24 km2), which is like 9.3 square miles (24.1 km2). The normal water level is 836 feet (255 m) above sea level.

During very heavy rains, the lake can get much bigger. It can grow to 54 miles (87 km) long and cover 16,700 acres (68 km2), or 26.1 square miles (67.6 km2). If the water gets too high, it flows over a special emergency spillway. The highest the lake ever got was on July 11, 1993, during the Great Flood of 1993. The water reached 892.03 feet (271.89 m) above sea level then.

Building the Saylorville Dam

The idea to build Saylorville Dam was approved by the U.S. Congress in 1958. Work on the dam began in July 1965. It took many years to build, and the lake officially started working in September 1977.

Dam Dimensions

The dam itself is quite large. It is 6,750 feet (2,057 m) long, which is over a mile! It stands 105 feet (32 m) tall, which is about as high as a 10-story building. At the very top, the dam is 44 feet (13 m) wide.

Fun Activities at Saylorville Lake

Saylorville Lake is a popular spot for many outdoor activities in central Iowa. There are several parks and recreation areas around the lake. These include Jester Park and Big Creek State Park. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also runs many places for camping and boat ramps.

Popular Pastimes

People love to visit Saylorville Lake for many reasons:

  • Boating and Swimming: The lake is great for all kinds of boats, and there are places to swim.
  • Camping: Many campgrounds are available for families and friends to stay overnight.
  • Hunting: People can hunt for deer and game birds in certain areas.
  • Fishing: The lake is home to many different kinds of fish.
  • Hiking and Biking: There are trails around the lake for walking and cycling.
  • Disc Golf: You can even play disc golf at some locations.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 4 helps keep boaters safe. They teach about boating safety and check boats for free.

Fish You Can Find in the Lake

Saylorville Lake is a great place for fishing! Many different types of fish live in its waters.

Common Fish Species

Here are some of the fish you might catch:

Images for kids

  • USACE Barrier Dam Lake Saylorville

    Barrier Dam, the second dam impounding Saylorville Lake. View is to the southeast.

  • Spillway - Saylorville Lake - Des Moines River, Iowa

    Spillway

  • Saylorville Lake

    Saylorville Lake in the winter as seen from an airplane

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