KCCI Investigates: See Iowa’s largest dam at Lake Red Rock

MARION COUNTY, Iowa —

Roughly 40 miles south of Des Moines is Iowa’s largest lake and largest dam.

Lake Red Rock was built between 1960 and 1969 after multiple flooding events on the Des Moines River in 1851, 1858, 1930, and 1947.

The dam created the lake, which is 18 miles long and 33.5 miles wide.

“The dam is doing its job,” says Hugh Howe, the lake manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, “and it’s doing a very good job of it.”

Most people think of boating, fishing, or having fun outdoors when they think of this area.

But protection is its primary purpose.

“These flood control reservoirs are meant to reduce flood risk along waterways here in Iowa,” Howe says. “Recreation is its secondary benefit.”

The dam also needs some work at times. In fact, its next maintenance will clo