Hester Lake Dam dam
Hester Lake Dam
Hester Lake Dam, located in Clearmont, Missouri, is a private-owned earth dam on TR Muddy Creek with a height of 20 feet and a storage capacity of 128 acre-feet. The dam, constructed by a private entity, serves the primary purpose of water storage and regulation for agricultural and recreational use in the area. With a low hazard potential and a condition assessment of "Not Rated", the dam is currently not regulated or inspected by the state.
Despite being privately owned, Hester Lake Dam plays a crucial role in the local water resource management, providing storage for irrigation and recreational activities in Nodaway County. With a drainage area of 1490 acres and a normal storage capacity of 80 acre-feet, the dam contributes to the overall water availability and management in the region. However, the lack of state regulation and inspection raises questions about the long-term safety and maintenance of the structure.
Water resource and climate enthusiasts interested in the management of dams and water infrastructure in Missouri may find Hester Lake Dam to be an intriguing case study. The dam's location on TR Muddy Creek, its private ownership, and the absence of state oversight present a unique scenario for understanding the challenges and opportunities in managing small-scale dams for water resource sustainability in the region. Further research and monitoring of Hester Lake Dam could provide valuable insights into the impact of private ownership on dam safety and the resilience of water infrastructure in the face of changing climate conditions.
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 Hester Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nodaway River Near Burlington Jct | 394 cfs | → |
| One Hundred And Two River At Maryville | 71 cfs | → |
| Nodaway River Near Graham | 374 cfs | → |
| Nodaway River At Clarinda | 232 cfs | → |
| East Fork 102 River At Bedford | 1 cfs | → |
| Tarkio River At Fairfax Mo | 153 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Hester Lake Dam.
Track Hester 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 Hester Lake Dam
Where does the data for Hester 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 Hester Lake Dam.