The Bluffs Lake Dam dam
The Bluffs Lake Dam
The Bluffs Lake Dam, located in St. Charles, Missouri, is a private earth dam primarily used for recreation purposes. Standing at a height of 32 feet, this dam offers a storage capacity of 86 acre-feet and covers a surface area of 5 acres. The dam is situated on the TR-Duckett Creek and is managed by the Kansas City District of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Despite its recreational use, the Bluffs Lake Dam has a high hazard potential, emphasizing the need for regular inspections and maintenance. The dam has not been rated for its condition assessment, and there is no Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place. With its proximity to a populated area, it is crucial that emergency contacts are updated and risk management measures are implemented to ensure the safety of the surrounding community in case of a dam failure.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts will be drawn to the unique features of the Bluffs Lake Dam, including its location on Duckett Creek and its role in providing recreational opportunities in the area. However, the high hazard potential and lack of key safety measures underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and management to mitigate risks and ensure the dam's long-term safety and functionality.
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 The Bluffs Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Creve Coeur Creek Near Creve Coeur | 12 cfs | → |
| Caulks Creek At Chesterfield | 13 cfs | → |
| Bonhomme Creek Near Clarkson Valley | 5 cfs | → |
| Creve Couer Creek At Chesterfield | 5 cfs | → |
| Fee Fee Creek Near Bridgeton | 6 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At St. Charles | 70,800 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near The Bluffs Lake Dam.
Boat launches
- Lake View Loop Trail Maryland Heights
- Scott A Lewis Lane Cottleville
- Katy Trail Saint Charles
- Lakeside Park Trail Saint Peters
- Katy Trail 1800, Saint Charles County
Track The Bluffs 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 The Bluffs Lake Dam
Where does the data for The Bluffs 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 The Bluffs Lake Dam.