Lawson City Lake Dam dam
Lawson City Lake Dam
Lawson City Lake Dam, located in Elmira, Missouri, is a vital structure that serves multiple purposes, including recreation and water supply. This earth dam, built in 1964, stands at a height of 45 feet and stretches 875 feet in length, holding a maximum storage capacity of 380 acre-feet. The dam sits on Brushy Creek and is regulated by the DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY PROG, ensuring it meets state inspection and enforcement standards.
Despite its satisfactory condition assessment, Lawson City Lake Dam is classified as having a high hazard potential. However, with a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam remains a crucial asset for the region. The dam's spillway, with a width of 135 feet, is uncontrolled, allowing for a maximum discharge of 80 cubic feet per second. While there are no outlet gates or associated structures, the dam's maintenance and inspection are conducted regularly to ensure its safety and functionality.
Lawson City Lake Dam not only provides recreational opportunities but also contributes to the local water supply. With its strategic location in Ray County, Missouri, this dam plays a significant role in managing water resources and mitigating potential risks. Water resource and climate enthusiasts can appreciate the importance of Lawson City Lake Dam in maintaining a balance between recreation, water supply, and safety in the region.
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 Lawson City Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Platte River Near Plattsburg | 71 cfs | → |
| Crooked River Near Richmond | 30 cfs | → |
| Little Platte River At Smithville | 35 cfs | → |
| Little Blue River Near Lake City | 113 cfs | → |
| Shoal Creek Near Braymer Mo | 479 cfs | → |
| Platte River At Sharps Station | 15,100 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Lawson City Lake Dam.
Track Lawson City 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 Lawson City Lake Dam
Where does the data for Lawson City 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 Lawson City Lake Dam.