Zurbuchen Lake Dam dam
Zurbuchen Lake Dam
Zurbuchen Lake Dam, located in Platte City, Missouri, is a privately owned structure built in 1976 for flood risk reduction along the TR-Castille Creek. Standing at 33 feet tall and 435 feet long, this earth dam serves multiple purposes including fire protection, stock or small fish pond, fish and wildlife pond, grade stabilization, and recreation. With a storage capacity of 382 acre-feet and a normal storage of 139 acre-feet, the dam plays a crucial role in managing water resources in the area.
Despite being a low hazard potential structure, the condition of Zurbuchen Lake Dam is currently not rated. However, the risk assessment indicates a moderate risk level of 3, prompting the need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance. The dam features an uncontrolled spillway with a width of 33 feet, and no outlet gates or associated locks. While it is not regulated by the state, the dam is under the jurisdiction of the Rock Island District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, adding an extra layer of oversight to its operations.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Zurbuchen Lake Dam offers a fascinating case study in dam engineering and management. Its strategic location, multiple purposes, and moderate risk level make it a dynamic structure worth monitoring. As climate change continues to impact water resources, the role of dams like Zurbuchen Lake Dam in flood risk reduction and water management becomes increasingly vital for the sustainability of ecosystems and communities 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 Zurbuchen Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Little Platte River Near Plattsburg | 117 cfs | → |
| Platte River Near Agency | 21,700 cfs | → |
| Little Platte River At Smithville | 40 cfs | → |
| Platte River At Sharps Station | 12,600 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At St. Joseph | 82,500 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At Kansas City | 122,000 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Zurbuchen Lake Dam.
Track Zurbuchen 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 Zurbuchen Lake Dam
Where does the data for Zurbuchen 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 Low 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 Zurbuchen Lake Dam.