Wright Lake Dam dam
Wright Lake Dam
Wright Lake Dam, located in Buchanan County, Missouri, was completed in 1981 and serves primarily for recreational purposes. This earth dam stands at a height of 29 feet and has a storage capacity of 78 acre-feet, with a normal storage level of 48 acre-feet. Situated on Rock Creek, the dam has a low hazard potential and is currently not rated for its condition assessment. Despite being privately owned, the dam does not fall under state regulation or inspection.
The dam's location in the Rock Island District and its association with recreational activities make it an intriguing spot for water resource and climate enthusiasts to explore. With a surface area of 5 acres and a drainage area of 180 square miles, Wright Lake Dam offers a unique opportunity to observe the interaction between human-made structures and natural water systems. While it may not have a spillway or outlet gates, the dam's presence on Rock Creek adds to the diverse landscape of water resources in Missouri.
As a privately owned structure, Wright Lake Dam provides a case study for understanding the management and regulation of dams outside of federal or state oversight. Its construction and design as an earth dam with a buttress core highlight the engineering considerations necessary for balancing recreational use with water storage needs. For enthusiasts interested in the intersection of water resources, climate, and infrastructure, Wright Lake Dam offers a valuable point of reference in exploring the complexities of managing water systems in diverse environments.
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 Wright Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Platte River Near Agency | 13,800 cfs | → |
| Missouri River At St. Joseph | 51,700 cfs | → |
| Platte River At Sharps Station | 14,200 cfs | → |
| Little Platte River At Smithville | 32 cfs | → |
| Little Platte River Near Plattsburg | 10 cfs | → |
| Stranger C Nr Potter | 199 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Wright Lake Dam.
Track Wright 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 Wright Lake Dam
Where does the data for Wright 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 Wright Lake Dam.