Merrell Lake Dam dam
Merrell Lake Dam
Merrell Lake Dam, located in Mammoth, Missouri, was completed in 1967 and stands at a height of 26 feet. The dam serves primarily for recreational purposes, with a storage capacity of 42 acre-feet and a surface area of 2 acres. It is classified as an earth dam with a buttress core type and is privately owned.
Despite being in a high hazard potential area, Merrell Lake Dam has not been rated for its condition as of the last inspection in 1980. The dam is not regulated or inspected by the state, and there is no emergency action plan in place. The dam's location on TR-Lick Creek in the Ozark County adds to its appeal for water resource and climate enthusiasts seeking to explore the surrounding area.
With its close proximity to the Little Rock District and a lack of federal agency involvement, Merrell Lake Dam provides an interesting case study for the management and assessment of private dams. Its historical significance and recreational value make it a focal point for those interested in the impact of water resources on local communities and the challenges of maintaining infrastructure in rural areas.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Merrell Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bryant Creek Near Tecumseh | 312 cfs | → |
| North Fork River Near Tecumseh | 469 cfs | → |
| White River Near Norfork | 1,880 cfs | → |
| Beaver Creek At Bradleyville | 86 cfs | → |
| White River At Calico Rock | 3,630 cfs | → |
| Buffalo River Near Harriet | 295 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Merrell Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- State Highway Hh Ozark County
- Bull Shoals Dam Boulevard Bull Shoals
- State Highway 14 Douglas County
- Valley Airport Drive 380, Cotter
- Big Spring Parkway Cotter
- Baxter County
Campgrounds
- Patrick Bridge Access - Mdc
- Pontiac
- Theodosia
- Cranfield - Norfolk Lake
- Gamaliel - Norfolk Lake
- Oakland - Bull Shoals Lake
Fishing spots
- Little North Fork White River
- Bull Shoals Tailwater
- Trimble Creek
- Bull Shoals Lake
- Langston Lake
- Gunner Creek
Track Merrell Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Merrell Lake Dam
Where does the data for Merrell Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Merrell Lake Dam.