Riss Lake Dam dam
Riss Lake Dam
Located in Parkville, Missouri, the Riss Lake Dam is a privately owned structure built in 1953 primarily for recreational purposes. Standing at a height of 93 feet with a length of 1200 feet, this earthen dam holds a maximum storage capacity of 7720 acre-feet and serves the purpose of regulating the flow of the White Aloe Branch river. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam is deemed to be in satisfactory condition as of its last assessment in 2007.
Managed by the DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY PROG under the jurisdiction of the state of Missouri, the Riss Lake Dam undergoes regular inspections every two years to ensure its structural integrity and safety. With a moderate risk assessment score of 3, the dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and no outlet gates. While the dam has not undergone any major modifications in recent years, it continues to play a crucial role in providing a recreational space for the local community and maintaining water resources in the area.
With its picturesque location and vital role in water management, the Riss Lake Dam stands as a notable landmark in Platte County, Missouri. As climate and water resource enthusiasts explore the area, they can appreciate the engineering marvel of this earth dam and its significance in regulating the flow of the White Aloe Branch. Despite its high hazard potential, the dam's satisfactory condition and regular inspections highlight the commitment to ensuring the safety and functionality of this essential infrastructure for both recreational and water resource purposes.
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 Riss Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri River At Kansas City | 66,600 cfs | → |
| Brush Creek At Ward Parkway In Kansas City | 1 cfs | → |
| Blue River At Stadium Drive In Kc | 170 cfs | → |
| Platte River At Sharps Station | 5,350 cfs | → |
| Mill C At Johnson Drive | 27 cfs | → |
| Little Platte River At Smithville | 17 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Riss Lake Dam.
Track Riss 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 Riss Lake Dam
Where does the data for Riss 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 Riss Lake Dam.