IWC - Iowa Low Head Dams Reference

River/Stream: Skunk River

Location: southwest of Mount Pleasant, Henry County

Owner: Henry County Conservation Board

Height: 9 ft.

Length: 160 ft.

Hazards: usage, visibility

Warning Signs:

Portage option:

Documented Fatalities: 1

August 4, 1921 - Arthur Larson, wading below the dam

Comments: The Oakland Mills Dam was a hydroelectric plant built in the 1920's. This plant provided electricity for the area for nearly 40 years before being abandoned. Now used as a fishing pier on the Skunk River, it is an area landmark. A viewing telescope has also been installed to view the wildlife found along the banks of the Skunk River.

Close-call Incident Report:

2 Survive Roll Over Dam As Boat Sinks

Boaters Swim To Shore

POSTED: 10:02 am CDT June 22, 2009

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa -- Authorities said two people swam to safety after their boat stalled and then floated backwards over a dam in Mount Pleasant.

Mark Stout and his passenger, Sharon Corron, both of Mount Pleasant, traveled up the Skunk River on Saturday and tried to cross the Oakland Mills Dam.

Tony Millard, of the Henry County Conservation Department, said they tried to go over the dam in a small boat with a small motor. He said they got to the crest of the dam, then "ran out of power and it sunk them."

The boat went backward and filled with water.

Stout and Carron swam ashore more than a mile downriver from the dam.

Stout was cited for reckless use of a water craft.