Palmer Farms Lake Dam dam
Palmer Farms Lake Dam
Palmer Farms Lake Dam, located in Ethlyn, Missouri, is a private earth dam with a height of 25 feet and a storage capacity of 120 acre-feet. Completed in 1970, this dam serves as a key structure along the Campbell Branch of the Cuivre River, providing essential water resource management for the surrounding area. With a normal storage capacity of 75 acre-feet and a surface area of 9 acres, Palmer Farms Lake Dam plays a crucial role in maintaining water levels and supporting agricultural activities in Lincoln County.
Despite its significant contributions to the region, Palmer Farms Lake Dam poses a high hazard potential due to its age and lack of condition assessment. While the dam has not been rated for its current condition, its high hazard potential underscores the importance of regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the safety of nearby communities and properties. Although it is not regulated by the state and has no designated inspection frequency, the dam's owners must prioritize risk management measures and emergency preparedness to mitigate potential threats and safeguard the surrounding environment.
As a private dam with limited federal oversight, Palmer Farms Lake Dam stands as a testament to the critical role of water resource management in supporting local economies and ecosystems. With its historical significance and operational importance, this dam serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for proactive maintenance and risk assessment to ensure the long-term sustainability and safety of water infrastructure in the region. Climate and water resource enthusiasts alike can appreciate the complexities and challenges associated with managing dams like Palmer Farms Lake Dam, and the vital role they play in shaping the hydrological landscape of Missouri.
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 Palmer Farms Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cuivre River Near Troy | 1,170 cfs | → |
| Dardenne Creek At Old Town St. Peters | 389 cfs | → |
| Dardenne Creek At Ofallon | 185 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At St. Charles | 129,000 cfs | → |
| Bonhomme Creek Near Clarkson Valley | 11 cfs | → |
| Caulks Creek At Chesterfield | 60 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Palmer Farms Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- East Sycamore Road Lincoln County
- Lakeside Trail Lincoln County
- Falstaff Road Lincoln County
- Saint Charles County
- Brittany Place 1, Lake Saint Louis
- Windjammer Point 200, Lake Saint Louis
Track Palmer Farms 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 Palmer Farms Lake Dam
Where does the data for Palmer Farms 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 Palmer Farms Lake Dam.